Mumbai, March 13 (NationPress) The government of Maharashtra reported to the State Legislative Council on Friday that a total of 166 tiger fatalities were noted across the nation in 2025, with 41 of these tragic events occurring within the state.

Independent MLC Satyajeet Tambe, along with other members, raised concerns regarding the instances of tiger fatalities in Maharashtra during 2025, seeking clarity on the measures being implemented by the state government to address this issue.

In a written response, State Forest Minister Ganesh Naik disclosed that of the 166 national tiger deaths recorded in 2025, Maharashtra accounted for 41.

Furthermore, he mentioned that on January 7, 2026, a deceased tiger cub was discovered, with initial investigations indicating that its demise was likely due to a confrontation among tigers.

Additionally, another decomposed carcass of a tiger cub was found, which, based on preliminary assessments, appears to have succumbed to natural causes.

To safeguard these majestic creatures, Minister Naik stated that routine patrols are carried out in sensitive regions by teams from the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF). Moreover, hunting activities are closely monitored through dog squad patrols, and the field staff are equipped with mobile devices utilizing the M-Stripes system for tracking suspicious activities.

Conservation strategies focused on the protection of tigers, leopards, and other wildlife are developed during meetings of the District Level Tiger Committee.

According to the Minister, informers have been appointed at the range level to collect intelligence on illegal poaching activities, with actions taken based on the information gathered. Funds from secret service allocations are employed for this purpose, and a wireless communication system has been established in sensitive areas.

In his statement, the Minister also noted the construction of protection huts and observation towers to enhance monitoring in essential forest locations.

To keep track of wildlife crimes within the state, a Wildlife Crime Cell has been set up at the Office of the Nagpur Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and is currently being reinforced. Additionally, a Cyber Cell established within the Melghat Tiger Project is dedicated to tracing individuals involved in poaching incidents. Checkpoints have been installed at crucial points in sensitive areas to conduct routine inspections of vehicles entering and leaving the vicinity. A bi-weekly tracking program for tigers and leopards is executed at the range level to monitor their presence, along with inspections of nomadic settlements near villages to observe their movements.

Surveillance of dubious activities is maintained through the installation of camera traps at critical locations such as tiger corridors and water bodies. Regular inspections of water bodies are conducted to prevent poisoning, and metal detectors are employed to ensure that hunters have not placed iron traps along paths leading to these vital water sources.