CZA clears tiger safari and rescue centre in Tadoba buffer

Nagpur: In a major boost to tourism and help curb man-animal conflict, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), a statutory body under the ministry of environment, forest and climate change monitoring zoos, rescue centres and safaris, has given green signal to set up tiger safari and rescue centre in Chandrapur.
The mega project will come up on 210 hectares reserve forest land near Chandrapur Forest Academy on Mul road. It will include a tiger safari in 44 hectares, bigger than tiger safari area of Gorewada (which is 25 hectares). Other attractions include an entrance plaza and amenities for tourists, a bird park and walking trail, and also a rescue centre in 40 hectares.
The proposal was forwarded to the CZA by retired PCCF (wildlife) NH Kakodkar in July. The master layout plan has been prepared by city’s Ashfaque Ahmed Consultancy Services Private Limited, which had also designed the Gorewada zoo safari plan earlier.
According to CZA sources, the said plan was deliberated in the 38th meeting of the authority held on November 16, 2021. The approval for the project in the buffer area of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) was given on December 17, under Section 38-H (1A) of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972, and subject to compliance with the Recognition of Zoo Rules 2009 guidelines.
With 160 tigers, excluding cubs, in Chandrapur alone, human-animal conflict has been raging in the district putting pressure on Gorewada Rescue Centre at Nagpur where animals captured or rescued during conflict are shifted for treatment and then kept in captivity. Gorewada’s carrying capacity has already exceeded and hence there was dire need for such a project in Chandrapur.
Gorewada divisional manager Pramod Panchbhai says, “It is a welcome move. We have 10 tiger and 20 leopard cells, but have 11 tigers and 23 leopards. This is apart from the ones released in the safari. We have kept some leopards in monkey cells. In emergency, we can adjust some carnivores in small mammal cages.”
TATR deputy director (core) Nandkishore Kale said, “The project will be attached to TATR Tiger Conservation Foundation and we will be able to run animal adoption scheme as well and accept donations for animal welfare, which will allow donors to avail tax benefits under 80C or utilize CSR funds.”
The rescue centre will have a state-of-the-art animal hospital and 18 tiger cells, 12 for leopards, 12 sloth bear cells, and 28 for herbivores. The centre will also consist of quarantine cells, bird and python enclosures, workshop, housing, and service blocks.
“Overall, 126 hectares area will be in use for the rescue centre and safari, while remaining 86 hectares will be kept reserve for future expansion. The rescue centre will also have a unique neonatal care centre,” said Kale.
State wildlife board (SBWL) member Bandu Dhotre claimed he had raised the issue of upgrading the Chandrapur transit treatment centre (TTC) in the 16th SBWL meeting held on December 4, 2020, which was agreed upon by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, who directed to upgrade the TTC at Chandrapur into a full-fledged rescue centre.
“Both the safari and rescue centre will not only ease pressure on Gorewada, but will also go a long way in conservation. Secondly, it will also boost tourism. Some of the surplus Tadoba tourists can be diverted to the tiger safari creating direct and indirect employment for locals,” said Dhotre.
He added, “If the said forest land is not put to proper use, it is possible in future it may be diverted for non-forestry purposes or encroached upon.” This will be the third such safari in the state, first being Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Borivli and second Gorewada in Nagpur.