Chandrapur (Maharashtra): Chandrapur district in Maharashtra, home to a thriving tiger population, is facing an alarming rise in human-wildlife conflict, with tiger attacks becoming increasingly frequent. In May alone, 11 people lost their lives to tiger encounters, displaying the growing tension between conservation success and human safety. The human deaths toll recorded in 2025 so far is 22.
Between 2021 and May 2025, 173 people in the district have died in wildlife encounters, with 150 of those deaths linked to tigers. Injuries have also soared, from 76 in 2021 to over 314 in 2024, with 129 cases already reported this year. Livestock losses have been severe too, with more than 10,900 animals killed during the same period. The state has paid over Rs 122 crore in compensation, Rs 31.39 crore of which was disbursed in the 2024–25 financial year alone.
While the tiger population has grown remarkably, from 34 in 2006 to 223 in 2021 in Chandrapur, this conservation success has brought unintended consequences. Many of the recent attacks have occurred deep inside forests, particularly during the tendu leaf collection season in May, when up to 60,000 people enter tiger habitats. The leaves are used to make traditional beedis, and their collection is vital to the local economy. However, Chief Conservator of Forests Dr. Jitendra Ramgaonkar stresses that most incidents happen inside the forest, not outside it. “If not in the forest, then where should the tigers live?,” he said as quoted by the Indian Express.
Despite forest advisories, many people ignore safety warnings and even sleep inside the forest, putting themselves at risk. Attempts to regulate entry during peak wildlife activity periods have been only partially effective due to the economic dependence on forest resources.
Safety Measures Taken To Avoid Animal Attacks
To manage the conflict, authorities have launched extensive safety measures. Since July 2023, 22 tigers and leopards have been tranquilised and relocated. A network of 181 rapid and primary response teams, comprising 917 members, is active across the district. Camera traps (928 in total) monitor animal movement, and an AI-powered early warning system is operational in 20 villages.
A 24/7 wildlife control room in Rambag Colony coordinates these responses, and locals can call a toll-free number for help. In addition, 200 villages have Primary Response Teams, each trained and equipped to respond swiftly to animal sightings.
Yet, as long as heavy human activity continues deep inside tiger zones, officials warn that no technology can fully prevent conflict. Balancing conservation with community livelihoods remains Chandrapur’s biggest challenge.
