8 Aug 2020



NAGPUR: The 15th Maharashtra wildlife board meeting, chaired by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, on Friday unanimously rejected the upgradation proposal of railway line through Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) in Amravati district and also ordered the setting up of an expert committee to consider translocation of 50 tigers from Chandrapur district. He also rejected the neutering proposal of tigers saying it should be the last resort.
Also, Kanhargaon in Chandrapur district is set to be the 62nd protected area in the state. According to sources who attended the meeting, Thackeray also showed keenness to declare Mogarkasa, near Ramtek, a conservation reserve. He has sought proposals to declare more protected areas (sanctuaries, reserves and parks).

The board members hailed Thackeray for his bold decision to refuse railways permission for broadening a metre gauge line through MTR. Overwhelmed by the drone photography of the tiger reserve showing the railway line and forest, the CM asked officials to submit aerial pictures as evidence while submitting proposals. 

more details