Maharashtra to start new tiger safaris as forest cover goes up by 1,302 sq km

MUMBAI: As part of conservation and awareness, the Maharashtra government is all set to start a tiger safari in 171 hectares of new forest area and a wildlife rescue center in Chandrapur district known for its biggest tiger reserve of Tadoba-Andhari. Besides, a centre to facilitate immediate treatment of wild animals will be set up.
A Gene Bank for the conservation of genetic biodiversity in the state will also be set up, the state budget presented by finance minister Ajit Pawar said.The project will be funded to the tune of Rs 286 crore over the next 5 years.
"I am happy to announce that according to the Indian Forest Survey Report 2020-21, there is an increase of about 20 Sq. Km. in the Forest area. Forest cover has also increased by 1302 Sq.Km. It has been decided to start Tiger Safari in a 171-hectare forest area adjacent to Chandrapur. In addition, a wildlife rescue center will be set up to facilitate immediate treatment of wild animals in the Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts. To conserve genetic biodiversity in the state, Maharashtra Gene Bank Project is also being implemented with an outlay of Rs 286 crores over the next 5 years," said finance minister Ajit Pawar in his budget speech.
To commemorate the great work contribution of eminent economist Padma Vibhushan Dr. C. D. Deshmukh a biodiversity forest and botanical garden will be set up at Jamgaon, in Roha of Raigad district.

"Solar Energy Fencing Scheme will be implemented in all sensitive villages in the state so as to avoid loss of crops by wild animals. The government intends to conduct the country's first experiment to display wildlife from the African continent. For this, an African safari is proposed at Balasaheb Thackeray Gorewada International Zoo. It is estimated to cost Rs 100 crores. A leopard safari is proposed in a 90-hectare forest area of the Pune forest department. It is expected to cost Rs 60 crore. For the year 2022-23, an outlay of Rs 347 crores has been proposed for Revenue Department and Rs 1,995 crores for forest department for programmed expenditure," said Pawar.
For the first time, the state has allocated a major amount of Rs 3200 crore for Konkan to tackle calamities like cyclones and floods. "The state government has approved a disaster mitigation scheme o Rs 3,200 crore for a three-year term to deal with cyclones and other calamities in the Konkan area. Erosion control dams, underground power lines, multi-purpose cyclone shelters, early warning systems, and preventative measures in sensitive locations will be implemented as part of this project," stated the budget.

The Department of Environment and Climate Change has also been allocated a budget of ₹253 crores for the fiscal year 2022-23. Citing that 'Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyan' state’s Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Programme is receiving huge support from 11,968 local bodies in the state, Pawar said state will fund a sum of ₹100 crore for it in fiscal 2022-23. Under the same programme a school curriculum on the environment and climate change will also be prepared for students in classes I to VIII in order to raise awareness about the environment and climate change in the classroom.
With a budget of Rs 150 crore, the state has also proposed to conserve 23 rivers through river rejuvenation and restoration. This is mainly to stop impurities flowing into the rivers and ensure disposal of waste before it soils ground, catchments, and water both. It may be recalled that to tackle Excessive Rains and flood relief the state government has provided Rs 5,544.10 crores to farmers for crop damage from June 2021 to October 2021. Impacts of Cyclone Tauktae, Extreme Rains, Flood Damage in Raigad, Ratnagiri and remaining parts of Maharashtra have been compensated with Rs 6,079.48 crore.