NTCA clears funds for managing tigers outside reserves in Maha

Nagpur: As reported by TOI in July last year, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) sanctioned dedicated funds for managing tigers found outside designated reserves in Maharashtra, clearing Rs5.40cr for the 2025-26 financial year under a special project aimed at tackling rising human-tiger conflict.The project, titled "Management of Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR): Strategies to deal with human-tiger conflict", marked the first time the NTCA earmarked specific financial support for tigers staying beyond notified tiger reserves in the state.The approval, issued on Feb 10, covered 6 forest divisions — Chandrapur, Brahmapuri, Central Chanda, Nagpur, Pandharkawda and Wadsa — with Rs90 lakh allocated to each division. The funds were sanctioned under the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) framework.The annual plan of operation for the 6 divisions provided for setting up and strengthening Rapid Response Teams, procurement of rescue and immobilisation equipment, camera traps and early warning systems. It also included drones, GPS units, wireless networks, vehicles for response teams, GIS-based monitoring support and capacity building of frontline staff and local volunteers.The funds are expected to support quicker response to conflict situations, improve monitoring of tiger movement outside core reserves and strengthen coordination between divisions in managing stray or dispersing big cats.