In a first, NTCA sanctions funds for managing tigers staying outside reserves in Maharashtra

MUMBAI: (Feb 12) The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has for the first time sanctioned funds specifically for the management of tigers outside designated tiger reserves in Maharashtra, officials said on Thursday.

In a sanction order dated February 10, the NTCA approved the release of Rs 5.40 crore for 2025-26 under the project 'Management of Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR): Strategies to deal with human-tiger conflict' for six forest divisions in the state, they added.

The funds, cleared under the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) framework, will cover Chandrapur, Brahmapuri, Central Chanda, Nagpur, Pandharkawda and Wadsa divisions, with Rs 90 lakh earmarked for each division, these officials said.