Gadkari flags man-animal conflict in Vidarbha after rise in tiger, leopard count

Nagpur: Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Monday voiced concern over the alarming rise in man-animal conflict in Vidarbha after increase in population of tigers and leopards. While he underlined the region's pride in being home to some of India's most renowned tiger reserves, he suggested relocation or measures like sterilisation to manage the number of tigers and leopards. Speaking on the Marathi talk show ‘Chana-Poha with Nitinji', hosted by actor Girija Oak, the Nagpur MP said that Tadoba, Pench and Umred Karhandla gave Vidarbha global recognition. But the growing number of tigers led to an alarming rise in man-animal conflict, especially in villages on the fringes of these forests, he said. He also noted that Nagpur was known not only as the Orange City but also as the "Tiger capital of India", adding that "all these sites are hardly around 300 kilometres around Nagpur", attracting tourists from across the world. Outlining a range of urban projects, Gadkari said a flower garden was planned at Telangkhedi on the lines of Vancouver, along with a world-class bird park featuring species from across the globe. He also spoke of easing congestion at Medical Square through a rotary, followed by an underground market on the lines of Delhi, with existing shops shifted to create open space.The minister said work on modernising Nagpur airport would begin soon, promising a world-class facility, while the city's main and Ajni railway stations were being redeveloped into "five-star stations". Reiterating his commitment to the musical fountain project at Futala Lake, Gadkari said it would be a global attraction. "It is designed by architects from France, with music by AR Rahman. The English and Marathi commentary is by Amitabh Bachchan and Nana Patekar," he said, adding that a floating stage and a 4,500-capacity spectator gallery is already ready.Gadkari said he faced sustained online trolling over alleged links to ethanol-related controversies. "India imports fuel worth nearly Rs22 lakh crore every year. I speak strongly against excessive dependence on petrol and diesel," he said, alleging that false campaigns were run against him and ethanol. The city MP added that social media nevertheless remained a powerful tool to directly communicate infrastructure work to people across India and abroad.Referring to the flooding downstream of Ambazari lake in 2023, Gadkari attributed it to encroachments along the Nag River that obstructed its flow along localities such as Verma Layout and Shankar Nagar. He also spoke of plans for a stadium with a capacity of over one lakh spectators, a 60-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and a sports stadium named after Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.Gadkari said BJP's 2-decade-long tenure has transformed Nagpur. "What we did is just a trailer, like the first part of the movie Dhurandhar. The picture is yet to come," he said, urging voters to back the party decisively. Responding to criticism over cement roads, Gadkari said they were necessary given Nagpur's black cotton soil. "I built one cement road at Manewada in 1997-98. It is pothole-free for 28 years," he said, adding that he would discuss flyover projects with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy CM Ajit Pawar after the polls.The Union minister also criticised the widespread consumption of kharra in Nagpur, saying 15,000 to 20,000 people were involved in running paan shops where kharra is sold.