Chhattisgarh to relocate six tigers from MP to boost population in two tiger reserves

Udanti–Sitanadi Tiger Reserve to get a male tiger, 2 tigresses from Kanha Tiger Reserve. Guru Ghasidas Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve will get 3 tigresses from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

Published on: Sep 14, 2025, 17:00:31 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh government is planning to relocate six tigers from two Madhya Pradesh reserves to the Udanti–Sitanadi and Guru Ghasidas Tamor Pingla tiger reserves in a bid to strengthen its tiger population, forest officials aware of the development said.

According to the officers, Udanti–Sitanadi Tiger Reserve will receive one male tiger and two tigresses from Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, while Guru Ghasidas Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve will get three tigresses from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.

Principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Arun Kumar Pandey said that the department is actively working on the translocation plan, and coordination with Madhya Pradesh is underway. “We are working on this project in consultation with the NTCA and other agencies. The aim is to stabilise populations in reserves like Udanti–Sitanadi and Guru Ghasidas Tamor Pingla, where numbers are critically low, and to ensure long-term conservation success,” he said.

Also Read: Tiger population doubles in Chhattisgarh since 2022: CM Vishnu Deo Sai

The plan was cleared by the technical committee of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under its Standard Operating Procedure for tiger population management. “The NTCA’s technical committee, in its 13th meeting on May 30, had approved the proposal, subject to evaluation by Dehradun’s Wildlife Institute of India,” a senior forest officer said.

The move comes as Chhattisgarh’s tiger population has shown encouraging growth, rising from 17 in 2022 to 35 in April 2025, according to the latest survey — a sharp increase after concerns over shrinking habitats and rising human-wildlife conflict.

Achanakmar Tiger Reserve in Bilaspur now has the highest population, with 18 tigers. Guru Ghasidas Tamor Pingla in Surguja has seven, Indravati Tiger Reserve in Bijapur has six, Bhoramdev Sanctuary in Kawardha has three, while Udanti–Sitanadi in Gariaband has just one.

Also Read: Tiger count doubles in Chhattisgarh’s Achanakmar reserve, report says conditions ripe for more growth

Officials said that bringing in tigers from Madhya Pradesh will not only boost numbers but also help restore ecological balance. “Trap cameras installed in Achanakmar have captured striking images of tigers, including females with cubs, signalling successful breeding. However, in reserves like Udanti–Sitanadi, which once held potential as tiger habitats, the population remains dangerously low,” an official said.

Experts, however, cautioned that increasing numbers alone is not enough. “Ensuring connectivity between reserves, preventing habitat fragmentation, and involving local communities in conservation will be critical for sustaining the growth,” an expert said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.