Tadoba Rescue Centre Awaits Final Approval as Forest Department Seeks High Court Clearance The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday signaled that the long-delayed proposal to establish a rescue centre within the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve is nearing completion, with only one critical procedural approval remaining. The court directed authorities to expedite the process by submitting a proposal to the chief secretary to seek judicial clearance for construction in the reserve’s core or buffer zones. The development comes amid growing concerns over the health of the tiger “Chhota Matka” and the need for specialized facilities to care for injured or vulnerable wildlife in protected areas. The court’s intervention followed a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) initiated over the deteriorating condition of “Chhota Matka,” a tiger whose health has raised alarms among conservationists. A division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode was informed that most clearances for the rescue centre have already been secured. The Maharashtra Forest Development Corporation (FDCM) stated in its affidavit that the project now awaits final approval linked to pending proceedings before the Supreme Court. The court emphasized that this procedural requirement should not cause unnecessary delays and ordered the FDCM to file an interlocutory application for specific relief or exemption. The rescue centre’s urgency stems from systemic gaps in wildlife management within the reserve. The court expanded the scope of the case to address broader issues, including the lack of infrastructure for treating injured animals.#bombay_high_court #nagpur_bench #tadoba_andhari_tiger_reserve #chhota_matka #maharashtra_forest_development_corporation
