The move follows a meeting convened on Tuesday by S K Khetarpal, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Maharashtra, to decide on release of the sub-adult tigress back in the wild.
Khetarpal has sought a formal proposal on habitat from C R Gajbhiye, chief conservator of forests (CCF), Nagpur Territorial Circle, before taking final decision on release.
Gajbhiye has asked deputy conservator (DyCF) P K Mahajan for Nagpur division to launch a survey from November 2. "It will take about eight days to send a proposal to the chief wildlife warden through proper channel," Gajbhiye said.
Khetarpal told TOI, "release of tigress is under consideration. There are a lot of things involved. We will need a fitness certificate from the vets treating the tigress. We will also evaluate the habitat and find out whether to release the animal in its original habitat or some other place."
As per National Tiger Conservation Authority ( NTCA) protocol, a captured animal should preferably be released in its original habitat. Khetarpal added, "We have always taken a right decision and this time also we will do that. Only we need to assure ourselves that all is well before the release." Read the full report here.
Source: Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN, Nagpur.
