Tiger Projects for Every District in Vidarbha: Naik Maharashtra forest minister Ganesh Naik announced an ambitious wildlife management plan during the state assembly budget session, emphasizing region-specific conservation strategies. The minister highlighted the need for tiger-focused projects in every district of Vidarbha, stating that these initiatives would be confined to forest areas and not interfere with human settlements. His remarks came in response to concerns raised by Congress MLA Nana Patole about rising human-wildlife conflict. Naik stressed that the government aims to expand conservation infrastructure aligned with the biodiversity patterns of each region. He noted that Chandrapur forest circle, which spans nearly 2,751 square kilometers, has seen a significant increase in tiger numbers—from around 100 five to seven years ago to nearly 450 today. While this growth reflects successful conservation efforts, it has also led to more frequent encounters between humans and wildlife. To address this, the forest department is deploying satellite surveillance and artificial intelligence-based monitoring systems to track animal movements and mitigate risks. The minister also mentioned joint forest management initiatives, where local communities collaborate with officials to reduce conflicts and improve response mechanisms. These programs aim to create a more sustainable balance between wildlife preservation and human safety. Additionally, the government is developing rescue and treatment facilities for injured wildlife and working on a long-term, structured plan for the next 45 months of its current tenure. A detailed project report outlining these efforts will be shared with legislators.#ganesh_naik #maharashtra_forest_minister #chandrapur_forest_circle #nana_patole #congress_mla
