Nagpur: Maharashtra, home to the fourth-largest tiger population in India with 444 majestic big cats, is grappling with an alarming rise in poaching, a reply to an RTI query has revealed. The data, obtained by Nagpur-based activist Abhay Kolarkar from the State Wildlife Wing, highlights a disturbing trend over the past four years, showing an alarming increase in the number of tigers and leopards killed by poachers.
Between January 1, 2021, and August 31, 2024, a total of 53 big cats — comprising 23 leopards and 30 tigers — were hunted by poachers across the State. The year 2023 saw the highest poaching figures, with 9 leopards and 15 tigers falling victim to illegal hunting activities. In contrast, 2021 recorded 4 leopards and 9 tigers, while 2022 saw an increase, with 8 leopards and 7 tigers poached. As of 2024, one tiger has already been killed, though no leopard deaths have been reported this year.
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Monday 07 Oct. 2024
Kolarkar, who spearheaded the RTI inquiry, warned that the actual numbers could be even higher, as many deaths are often misclassified as natural or remain unconfirmed due to delayed forensic reports. He emphasizes that this issue reflects deeper systemic challenges within the state’s wildlife protection framework.
In 2021, the Forest Department established a Wildlife Crime Cell at its Nagpur headquarters to combat wildlife-related offenses. Despite this, the department has struggled to maintain a centralized database of criminals involved in poaching, a crucial tool for tracking, identifying networks, and monitoring cases effectively. Kolarkar’s RTI request for detailed information on criminals and cases linked to wildlife poaching was left unanswered by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF, Wildlife).
Additionally, Kolarkar sought year-wise data on the population of tigers and leopards. However, forest officials cited that population estimates are conducted every four years by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The last assessment, done in 2022, reported 444 tigers and 1,985 leopards in Maharashtra.
Although NTCA protocols mandate an annual Phase IV tiger estimation using camera traps in each reserve, no data from 2023 and 2024 has been provided by the state department.
The state has 58 protected areas, including tiger reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries. However, the department did not share any information regarding conservation reserves, stating that these areas are not classified as protected by the Forest Department.
Kolarkar stressed the need for urgent government intervention, saying, “It is essential for the government, Forest Department, and conservation organizations to work together to address this grave issue. Increased patrolling efforts, advanced monitoring technologies, and community involvement can curb poaching activities. Additionally, stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws and harsh penalties for offenders is crucial deterrents.”
The rising poaching figures paint a worrying picture for the state’s wildlife, signalling the urgent need for collective action to safeguard these endangered species.
