Maharashtra's Tiger Count Rises to 444 in 2025
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in News? | Maharashtra Forest Minister reported an increase in the state's tiger population from 101 in 2000 to 444 in 2025, attributing the rise to increased man-animal conflicts. |
| Proposal for Animal Museum | - Forest Minister wrote to Anant Ambani, founder of Vantara, proposing an animal museum in Maharashtra.- Plans to approve a museum modeled after initiatives in Gujarat, encouraging business contributions. |
| Human-Animal Conflict | - Increasing incidents of tiger attacks on humans, especially in Bhandara wildlife sanctuary.- Concerns raised about the safety of farmers near forested areas and crop destruction due to tiger attacks. |
| Government's Response | - Forest Minister confirmed a two-year-old cub attacked humans and assured it would be captured soon.- Rs 200 crore approved for solar fencing in villages near tiger zones.- Policy change introduced: farmers pay a nominal sum for solar fencing; villages near forests to be fenced at no charge. |