Chandrapur Activist Renews Push for 'Tiger District' Status Amid Conservation Crisis
Environmental activist Bandu Dhotre has reignited his longstanding campaign to have Chandrapur officially declared a 'Tiger District', asserting that the district's unprecedented tiger population—now exceeding 250 individuals, the highest concentration globally—necessitates a unified administrative framework to bolster conservation and tackle escalating human-tiger conflicts.
Reviving the Demand Amid Ongoing Agitation
Dhotre's renewed advocacy coincides with his ongoing protest against the proposed Lohardongri iron ore mine in the Tadoba corridor. He argues that Chandrapur's rapidly growing tiger population, which accounts for nearly 5% of the world's total, requires coordinated management across all forest divisions rather than the current fragmented governance. While Nagpur is often informally called the 'Tiger Capital of India', wildlife experts confirm that Chandrapur has emerged as the true global hub for tigers, hosting the densest population within a single district.
India's Tiger Landscape and Chandrapur's Dominance
India leads the world with 3,682 tigers, followed by Russia (750), Indonesia (393), and Nepal (355). Within India, Madhya Pradesh ranks first with 785 tigers, followed by Karnataka (563) and Uttarakhand (560). Maharashtra stands fourth with 444 tigers, a significant portion of which is concentrated in Chandrapur. According to the Status of Tigers in India 2022 report, Chandrapur recorded 249 tigers during the last estimation, with forest officials confirming the number has now surpassed 250.
Chandrapur's Tiger Habitat and Population Breakdown
The district's tiger landscape encompasses the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) and three adjoining territorial forest divisions:
- Brahmapuri forest division hosts 66 tigers
- Chandrapur forest division shelters 52 tigers
- Central Chanda forest division contains 36 tigers
This network connects habitats and corridors that support breeding and dispersal, linking further south to Telangana's Kawal Tiger Reserve. TATR alone is home to 95 tigers. Beyond the estimated adults, the region also has approximately 100 cubs and sub-adult tigers, many expected to be added to the population in future counts.
Escalating Human-Tiger Conflict
The expanding tiger population has intensified human-tiger conflict, with nearly 200 villagers killed in attacks over the past five years. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for improved management and conflict-mitigation strategies.
Historical Context and Proposed Framework
Dhotre first raised the demand for declaring Chandrapur a Tiger District in July 2012, launching a food renunciation protest. Following this agitation, the state government constituted a committee of three chief conservators of forest to examine the proposal. A draft declaration was prepared in 2013 and forwarded through the forest department hierarchy, but the initiative stalled due to administrative changes.
The proposal envisages:
- Recognition of all tiger-bearing forests in the district as 'tiger-sensitive zones'
- Uniform allocation of funds and resources across wildlife reserves, territorial forests, and areas managed by the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra
- Additional field staff, dedicated training funds, and improved infrastructure for forest personnel in high-risk areas
Supporters argue that the declaration would ensure uniform funding, better staffing, and coordinated conflict-mitigation measures, thereby strengthening both wildlife conservation and the safety of forest-fringe communities. This holistic approach aims to balance ecological preservation with human security in one of the world's most critical tiger habitats.
