Maharashtra: Officials suspend 10 guides, safari services for blocking tiger in Tadoba Andhari reserve

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Authorities have suspended the services of ten guides and ten safari vehicles in Maharashtra's Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) for impeding a tiger's movement, officials said.

According to TATR field director Kushagra Pathak, on May 17, numerous safari vehicles hindered tiger T-114's movement during a jungle tour in the Chandrapur reserve. Following news reports and an investigation, the services of the concerned guides and vehicles were suspended for a month, beginning Sunday, reported PTI.

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To avoid such events, TATR management has decided to restrict tourist access to specific sections of the reserve where such activity is more likely to occur, according to the statement, stated the PTI report.

Waterhole animal survey at TATR

A study performed at the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) confirmed the presence of a total of 5,069 animals, including 55 tigers, said PTI. The 'waterhole animal survey' was completed on Saturday.

According to the PTI, the TATR said in a release that 'Nisarganubhav-2024' will take place on May 23 and 24 to commemorate Buddha Purnima. It was also done on Buddha Purnima since there was ample light from the full moon. Over 160 wildlife lovers took part in the same.

The core and buffer zones housed 55 tigers, 17 leopards, 86 wild dogs, 65 sloth bears, 1,458 spotted deer, 488 sambhar, and 559 Indian gaurs. The news agency claimed that at least 26 tigers and eight leopards were spotted in buffer zones, while 29 tigers and nine leopards were seen in core areas.

58-year-old man killed in tiger attack in Chandrapur

Meanwhile, in a man-animal conflict in mid-March, a 58-year-old man was killed by a tiger in Maharashtra's Chandrapur district. The kin of deceased received Rs 25,000 as compensation, said officials. The incident occurred in forest area 494 in the Ballarpur range.

"We have set up eight video traps to monitor the region. Personnel from the primary response team (PRT) have also been stationed there," the official told PTI.

Last November, a tiger killed another 53-year-old man. The man, named as Manohar Vani, a school bus driver from Babupeth, was reportedly attacked in the morning while going to pray at a Shani shrine in compartment 484 of Lohara beat in Chandrapur forest division, he claimed.

While 24 deaths have been reported in man-animal clashes in the region this year, the total was 53 last year, according to the PTI.