Maha recorded 41 tiger deaths in 2025: Forest minister

Nagpur: Maharashtra recorded 41 tiger deaths in 2025, forest minister Ganesh Naik told the Legislative Council on Wednesday. Nationally, 166 tigers died during the year, according to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) data. Responding to a specific query, the minister said one adult tiger and two cub deaths were recorded in the Pench Tiger Reserve area of Nagpur district. On December 2, 2025, a tiger's intact carcass was found at compartment 329 in the Saleghaat wildlife zone; a preliminary investigation indicated a natural death. On January 7, 2026, a tiger cub was found dead at compartment 500 in the Deolapar zone, Khursapar. The prima facie cause of death was a fight. A decomposed carcass of another cub was found the same day at compartment 509 in the same zone; the preliminary finding was a natural death.Naik said the Special Tiger Protection Force conducts regular patrolling in sensitive zones. A dog squad patrols for poaching movement. M-Stripes app-enabled mobiles were supplied to field staff for tracking suspicious movement. Camera traps are installed at movement corridors, water sources, and key locations, he said. The minister further informed that a Wildlife Crime Cell has been established and is being strengthened at the principal chief conservator of forests office in Nagpur. A cyber cell at Melghat Tiger Reserve assists in tracking poaching accused.Proposals for the creation of posts for a Rapid Rescue Unit, Transit Treatment Centre, and elephant tracking squad are under govt consideration. The questions were raised by MLCs Satyajit Tambe, Parinay Fuke, and others.