The Transit Treatment Centre (TTC), in Seminary Hills, which is one of the most busiest arms of Nagpur Forest Division for rescue of wild animals in Nagpur district will get a facelift soon. The Forest Department has plans to modernise TTC for its better and proactive services at the time of rescue operations. Maharashtra Government has released a fund of Rs 80 lakh for development of TTC in Nagpur. The fund will be utilised for construction of prey bird aviary, common bird aviary, carnivorous recovery section, large mammal (bison) holding enclosure, leopard holding section with enclosure, and quarantine centres for carnivorous, herbivorous animals, and birds. In November and December months in 2025, two separate incidents of leopard-human conflict took place in Nagpur city, raising panic among the citizens.

 

In December, when the Winter Assembly was on and the whole State machinery was in city, a leopard attack took place in which seven persons were injured. After that incident, the limited available resources in TTC got highlighted as the vehicle carrying the rescued leopard from Pardi area broke down mid-way and the team of TTC hired another vehicle to transport the leopard to TTC. “The Forest Minister is happy with the work done by the TTC during the rescue operation in December. Forest Minister is aware about the importance of modernisation of TTC and we sent a proposal of Rs 4-5 crore for purchase of equipment, infrastructure development, etc. in which we got around Rs 80 lakh,” Dr Vinita Vyas, Deputy Conservator of Forest (Territorial), Nagpur told ‘The Hitavada’.

 

“We are expecting that the proposed fund will be released by February as the Government has started working on the proposal,” claimed Dr Vyas. With the help of proposed fund, Forest Department has plans to purchase new specialised vehicles for TTC, new equipment and much more. A new residential complex is also proposed near TTC for its staff. “There are 25-30 staff in TTC, including 2 veterinarians, 3 veterinary assistants and rescue staff. We require 10 more staff in TTC and the proposal for contractual appointment has also been sent to the State Government,” said Dr Vyas. The DCF also informed that, the Forest Department is planning to install an incinerator in TTC for last rites of wild animals in the premises. Currently, TTC is performing this ritual by using wood.

 

 

 Keeping the recent cases of human-leopard conflict in Nagpur city in mind, the Forest Department is planning to establish a Quick Response Team (QRT) in Pardi area. About 5-6 local youth volunteered to be a part of this QRT and the Forest Department is considering its constitution soon. “The QRT will respond first in case of human-leopard conflict in Pardi and Bhandewadi area. It will help to save time and allow to reduce life threat to human and wild animal,” said Dr Vyas. “Currently, we received confirmation from 5-6 local youth and more volunteers can be absorbed in this QRT. The members of the QRT will be trained by TTC in mob control, control wild animals in distress and also to monitor the wild animals behaviour during man-animal conflict,” said Dr Vyas. Initially, the QRT will be formed on trial basis, which will first respond during a conflict as it takes 20-30 minutes for TTC to reach the locality, informed the DCF.