Chanda tiger safari, rescue centre proposal hanging fire for a year

Nagpur: Even a year after the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) approved setting up a tiger safari and rescue centre in Chandrapur, the crucial project, which could help resolve raging man-animal, is still hanging fire.
CZA had on December 17, 2021, approved a tiger safari and rescue centre near Chandrapur Forest Academy. However, the state government is sitting over the proposal.
The mega project is planned on 210 hectare and will include a tiger safari on 44 hectare, more than the tiger safari area at Gorewada. Other attractions include an entrance plaza and amenities for tourists, a bird park and walking trail, and a rescue centre on 40 hectare.
Talking to TOI, state PCCF (wildlife) Maheep Gupta said, “I agree the project is a big asset. We want to give it an international touch and are in talks with a Singapore firm for designing it. The company has submitted a quotation, and plans to make a site visit soon to prepare a concept note and submit a detailed plan. Funds are not an issue.”
Sources said the project has been delayed due to confusion over appointing a consultant and designer. An Indian designer and architect could have started the project by now. “The project should not meet the fate of Gorewada, which took 15 years to take off,” they added.
“With nearly 200 tigers in Chandrapur district alone, man-animal interface is at a peak, and of the 96 people dying in wild animal attacks, mostly by tigers and leopards, 90 are from Chandrapur and neighbouring Gadchiroli districts. Both humans and tigers are suffering. If human toll has gone up, state has also lost 30 tigers in last 11 months,” says Bandu Dhotre, president of NGO Eco Pro.
As reported by TOI, a rescue centre is needed at Chandrapur as Gorewada rescue centre at Nagpur is overcrowded. Most rescued tigers and leopards are shifted to Gorewada as transit treatment centres (TTCs) at Amravati-Paratwada and Chandrapur lack requisite infrastructure and space.
PCCF Gupta admitted, “Keeping animals in crumbling spaces is not only unethical but against their welfare. Hence, the rescue centre and tiger safari at Chandrapur is important. Some tigers could also be shifted to the tiger safari.”
Forest officials said the project will be attached to TATR Tiger Conservation Foundation (TCF), where it will be able to run an animal adoption scheme, and accept donations for animal welfare, while people can avail tax benefits under 80C, and funds under CSR.
The rescue centre will have a state-of-art animal hospital with 18 tiger cells, 12 leopard cells, 12 sloth bear cells, and 28 cells for herbivores. The centre will also have quarantine cells, bird and python enclosures, workshops, housing and service blocks.
Overall 126 hectare will be in use for rescue centres and safari while remaining 86 hectare will be kept reserved for future expansion. The rescue centre will also have a unique neo-natal care centre.
Dhotre claimed he had raised the issue of upgrading Chandrapur TTC in the 16th SBWL meeting on December 4, 2020, and then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray had agreed with him, and directed upgrading TTC to full-fledged rescue centre, but no steps have been taken.
“Both, the safari and rescue centre, will ease pressure on Gorewada and help in conservation too. Secondly, it will boost tourism in the region. Some surplus Tadoba tourists can be diverted to the tiger safari, creating direct and indirect employment for locals,” says naturalist Himanshu Bagde.
Dhotre warned, “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.”
BOX
PROPOSED ATTRACTIONS
* Parking: 1.46 ha
* Entrance Plaza: 1.59 ha
* Tiger Safari: 44.20 ha
* Bird Park & Walking Trail: 5.75 ha
* Buffer zone service: 34.75 ha
* Rescue Centre: 39.16 ha