Mumbai, March 13 – The Maharashtra government informed the State Legislative Council on Friday that in 2025, 166 tiger deaths were recorded across the country, with 41 occurring within the state.
Independent MLC Satyajeet Tambe, along with others, had raised concerns about the tiger deaths in Maharashtra in 2025 and the steps taken by the state government to prevent them.
State Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, in a written reply, stated that of the 166 tiger deaths nationwide, 41 occurred in Maharashtra in 2025.
He further added that on January 7, 2026, a tiger cub was found dead, and preliminary investigations suggest the death was caused by a fight among tigers.
Similarly, another decomposed carcass of another tiger cub was also found. Based on initial findings, this death appears to be due to natural causes.
"Regular patrols are conducted in sensitive areas by teams from the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF). Additionally, hunting activities are monitored through dog squad patrols. Field staff have been provided with mobile devices equipped with the M-Stripes system to track suspicious movements," Minister Naik added.
Measures implemented at the field level for tiger conservation include strategies for the protection of tigers, leopards, and other wildlife, which are formulated during District Level Tiger Committee meetings.
"Informers have been appointed at the range level to gather intelligence on illegal poachers, and action is taken based on the information received. Funds from the Secret Service are utilized for this purpose. A wireless communication system has been activated in sensitive areas," the Minister said.
The Minister added in his reply that protection huts and observation towers have been constructed to maintain focus on necessary forest locations.
"To maintain up-to-date information on wildlife crimes in the state, a Wildlife Crime Cell has been established at the Office of the Nagpur Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and is currently being strengthened. Furthermore, a Cyber Cell established in the Melghat Tiger Project is used to track individuals involved in poaching incidents. Checkposts have been set up at necessary points in sensitive areas to conduct regular inspections of incoming and outgoing vehicles. A fortnightly tracking programme for tigers and leopards is implemented at the range level to monitor their presence," the Minister said.
"Surveillance of suspicious activities is maintained by installing camera traps at tiger corridors, water bodies, and other critical locations. Additionally, water bodies are regularly inspected to prevent poisoning. Metal detectors are also used to ensure that hunters have not placed iron traps on paths leading to water sources," he added.