Maha losing tigers, leopards to poachers

Nagpur: Maharashtra — the state with fourth highest tiger count in the country at 444 — is losing its majestic big cats to poaching at an alarming rate.
According to information obtained by Abhay Kolarkar through an RTI query from the state wildlife wing, in the last 3.8 years, between January 1, 2021 and August 31, 2024, a total of 53 tigers and leopards have been poached.
"The actual numbers could be even higher, as many deaths are often shown as natural deaths, or in some cases, the forensic reports are not submitted on time, making it difficult to ascertain the cause of death," says Kolarkar.
Despite the establishment of a wildlife crime cell at the forest department's headquarters in Nagpur in 2021, the department seems to be struggling to maintain a database of wildlife criminals involved in poaching cases.
This centralized data is crucial for identifying backward and forward linkages and monitoring all the cases effectively. However, the PCCF (wildlife) has failed to provide the sought information on several criminals and related cases.
Kolarkar also sought information regarding the year-wise details of tiger and leopard numbers, but the department did not share these figures, stating that the estimation is conducted once every four years by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
As per the last estimation done in 2022, there are 444 tigers and 1,985 leopards in Maharashtra. However, according to the NTCA protocol, every tiger reserve must conduct a Phase IV tiger estimation exercise using camera traps annually. The exercise should have been carried out in 2023 and 2024, but the department failed to provide figures for these two years.
When asked about the number of protected areas in the state, the forest officials mentioned that there are 58 tiger reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra. However, they did not provide any information on conservation reserves, as the department does not consider them as protected areas.
The poaching figures for the last four years paint a grim picture. In 2021, 4 leopards and 9 tigers were poached. The numbers increased in 2022, with 8 leopards and 7 tigers falling victim to poaching. The year 2023 witnessed the highest number of poaching incidents, with 9 leopards and 15 tigers being killed. In 2024, while no leopards have been poached so far, one tiger has already been lost.
The wake-up call highlights the urgent need for the state to take stringent measures to protect its wildlife. The forest department must strengthen its efforts to maintain a comprehensive database of wildlife criminals and improve coordination between various agencies to effectively combat poaching. Additionally, the department should conduct regular estimations of tiger and leopard populations to monitor their numbers and take necessary steps to ensure their conservation.
"It is essential for the government, forest department, and conservation organizations to work together to address this grave issue. Increased patrolling efforts, using advanced technology for monitoring, and involving local communities in conservation efforts can help in curbing poaching activities. Moreover, stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws and severe punishment for those involved in poaching can act as a deterrent," said Kolarkar.
WAKE UP CALL
Year Leopard Tigers
2021 4 9
2022 8 7
2023 9 15
2024 0 1
(Poaching Figures)