Revenue and Forest Department of Government of Maharashtra has granted six-month extension to 448 posts created for the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF).

The government had set up the STPF last year for one year for Tadoba-Andhari, Pench, Navegaon-Nagzira and Melghat tiger reserves. The term had expired on February 28. Now, the same has been extended till August 31, 2022.

The STPF is a concept of Central Government in which 60% fund is provided by the Centre whereas the remaining 40% comes from the State Government.

“Extension to the posts is a welcome decision by the State Government, but the government should think about the timely salary of the force,” activist Ajay Patil told The Hitavada.

“The STPF personnel in Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) are not getting their salaries since 2020. It has now become a matter of life and death for these staff who serve the government for protection of wild life,” alleged Patil.

“The Tiger Foundation in NNTR is providing some help to the staff but it is not enough. Government should encourage the force which foot patrol 50-60 kms daily for tiger protection,” he added.

It is estimated that there are over 350 tigers in Vidarbha. Increasing number of tigers, and human interference in core and buffer areas of reserves has resulted in increasing man-animal conflict in the region. Due to increasing man-animal conflict, the region has witnessed many deaths of tiger and human both.

After the initiative of the Central Government, the STPF was formed to protect tigers and

also to reduce man-animal conflict in the region. Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) experience the highest number of man animal conflict in recent years. As a result the State Government formed a committee to find out the reasons behind increased man-animal conflict.