Nagpur: The tigress NT-3 that was released into the core of Nagzira on April 11 last, has once again moved out of the reserve and ventured near residential areas on the outskirts of Gondia city. Forest authorities are therefore monitoring the situation closely and making efforts so that the tigress returns to the wild.
Under the Conservation Translocation of Tiger Project (CTTP), three big cats were released into Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) in two phases — on May 20, 2023 and on April 11, 2024. They were given the identity as NT-1, NT-2 and NT-3 and all three were radio-collared. NT-1 has moved out of the reserve soon after it was released and ventured into neighbouring Madhya Pradesh whereas NT -2 is still in NNTR. But NT-3 had also managed to get rid of its radio collar and ventured out of the reserve. The big cat was found some 60 kilometres away from Koka Wildlife Sanctuary.
The authorities again radio collared it and released it back into NNTR. But for past one week, the NT-3 is out of the reserve and has been moving near Gondia in the forest range of Gangazari, Kharra, Pangdi, Junewani and near Dhakni. All these villages go through the corridor area connecting Nagzira with Kanha in Madhya Pradesh.
While talking to a local newspaper, Range Forest Officer Anil Kaushik informed that the Department was making sure that the big cat does not move into Madhya Pradesh and that there is no man-animal conflict. “We are keeping a close watch on the movement of the tigress. Our VHF team along with Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) and others are consistently keeping track of NT-3’s movement and trying to ensure that the tigress returns to its territory. We have also cautioned people not to venture into the forest and not to step out of home alone in late hours”.
Under the guidance of DCF Pramodkumar Panchbhai and ACF Yogendra Singh, the forest team joined by STPF and VHF team are keeping an eye on the movement of the tigress.
