Tigers to Be Translocated to Sahyadri Tiger Reserve
- 15 Sep 2025
On 12th September 2025, the Union Environment Ministry approved the capture and translocation of eight tigers from Tadoba-Andhari and Pench tiger reserves to the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in western Maharashtra.
Key Points
- Approval: The Wildlife Division permitted the Maharashtra Chief Wildlife Warden to capture and translocate tigers, subject to strict conditions ensuring veterinary care, minimal trauma, and prevention of post-capture complications.
- Initial Step: Two tigresses from Tadoba Tiger Reserve will be translocated first, with the release expected by December 2025 after a “soft release” in temporary enclosures.
- Preparations: The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) assessed the Sahyadri reserve’s readiness, confirming a healthy prey base that will be regularly augmented.
- Carrying Capacity: Studies suggest Sahyadri Tiger Reserve can support more than 20 tigers in the long term.
- Background: The NTCA’s technical committee approved the project in October 2023 as part of the second phase of the tiger recovery plan, which first focused on strengthening habitat and prey.
- Reserve Profile: Established in 2010, the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve covers 1,165 sq km across Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, and Ratnagiri districts, combining Chandoli National Park and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Current Status: While rich in forest cover, STR has lacked breeding tigers, hosting mostly transient individuals. Recently, three male tigers have been recorded regularly on camera traps.
- Ecological Significance: Reviving tiger presence is expected to safeguard dense forests, river watersheds (Koyna and Warna), and habitat connectivity between northern Western Ghats and forests in Goa and Karnataka.
