Pune: An 18-month-old tigress tragically died after being struck by a speeding passenger train while crossing the Chanda Fort-Gondia railway line in Maharashtra’s Sindewahi forest early Sunday. The collision with the Raxaul Express caused a fatal head injury, leading to the tigress’s instant death. This railway line runs through the dense forests of Chandrapur, Gadchiroli, and Gondia districts.
While the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in western Maharashtra has reported an increase in tiger sightings, the Vidarbha region is grappling with a worrying surge in tiger deaths. Data from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) reveals that India recorded 14 tiger deaths in the first 20 days of January, with Maharashtra reporting the highest number—eight fatalities. Most of these incidents occurred outside protected areas and have been linked to poaching, accidents, and diseases, according to state forest department officials.
The recent NTCA report, Status of Tigers in India, highlighted an encouraging rise in Maharashtra’s tiger population and sightings in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. However, the increase in fatalities presents a new challenge for authorities: safeguarding tigers beyond protected zones.
Some incidents have been particularly alarming. On January 6, a tigress in Bhandara district was electrocuted and later mutilated before being buried. A case has been registered, and an investigation is ongoing. On January 7, another tiger was discovered in Yavatmal, with two teeth and 12 claws removed. Additionally, a railway accident claimed the life of a tiger in Chandrapur district on January 19.
Efforts are now underway to address these recurring threats and enhance tiger conservation strategies across the state.
