Suryatara Sanctuary: Maharashtra’s Forest Minister, Ganesh Naik, has been staying in Nagpur for the past two days. During this time, he has held several meetings at the Forest Department headquarters. The main aim of these meetings is to understand what is happening in the department, what problems they are facing, and how to solve them.
These discussions are happening at a serious time, as 23 tigers have died in the state over the last three months. Out of these, 4 tigers were killed by poachers. Minister Ganesh Naik shared that there are currently 446 tigers in Maharashtra, with more tigers living in the core zones compared to the buffer zones.
| Initiative | Details |
|---|---|
| Suryatara Sanctuary | New wildlife sanctuary in Maharashtra, inspired by Gujarat’s Vantara, to provide safe shelter for tigers and other wildlife. |
| Tiger Conservation | Focus on reducing tiger deaths, improving core and buffer zones, and protecting habitats. |
| Furniture Factories | Plan to set up furniture factories using forest wood, with ₹70 crore investment over 7 months. |
| Fruit-bearing Trees | Plantation of fruit trees in forests to provide food for herbivores and reduce animal movement outside forests. |
| Solar Energy Panels | Installation of solar panels on barren forest lands to increase revenue. |
| New Vehicles & Weapons | Upgrading vehicles and providing new weapons to forest staff for better patrolling. |
| Samruddhi Highway Plantation | Plantation of trees along Samruddhi Highway for eco-friendly development. |
The minister said, “A letter has been given to Anant Ambani to start the Suryatara Sanctuary in Maharashtra, inspired by the Vantara sanctuary started by the Ambani family in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The land for the Suryatara project has already been selected, and it is expected to become a major step for wildlife conservation in the state.”
Suryatara Sanctuary Expected to Boost Revenue and Eco-Tourism
Minister Naik mentioned that clear instructions have been given to the officers so that they don’t create unnecessary obstacles while implementing state and central government schemes. The department is also working on several initiatives to increase revenue, and the upcoming Suryatara sanctuary is seen as a potential contributor to eco-tourism and the state’s income.
Furniture Factories to Be Set Up Using Forest Wood
He added that the former Forest Minister, Sudhir Mungantiwar, had a dream of setting up a big factory in Nagpur to make high-quality furniture from forest wood. “We are working to make this dream come true. In the next seven months, we will invest ₹10 crore each month, making it a total of ₹70 crore, to set up furniture factories across the state,” he said.
Fruit Trees to Be Planted to Support Wildlife Near Suryatara Sanctuary
Minister Naik also said that furniture factories will not only be set up in Vidarbha but also in other parts of the state. Fruit-bearing trees will be planted in the core areas of the forests so that wild animals stay inside the jungle. He explained, “We will take steps to fulfill the needs of herbivorous animals so that predators like tigers and leopards do not come out of the forest in search of food.”
Solar Panels and New Vehicles Planned for Forest Department
The department is also planning to install solar panels on barren forest land to generate solar power, which will help increase their income. Minister Naik added that many of the department’s vehicles are old and need to be replaced. New weapons will also be provided wherever necessary. Additionally, trees will be planted along both sides of the Samruddhi Highway through the Social Forestry Department.
The Suryatara Sanctuary is expected to become a new hope for wildlife lovers and a big boost for tiger conservation in Maharashtra.
Conclusion
Maharashtra is taking strong steps to protect its wildlife and forests. With the launch of the Suryatara Sanctuary, the state aims to create a safe home for tigers and other animals, just like the Vantara sanctuary in Gujarat. Along with wildlife protection, the government is also focusing on increasing revenue through furniture factories, solar energy projects, and eco-tourism. Planting fruit trees and improving forest infrastructure will help animals stay in their natural habitats. The Suryatara project brings new hope for nature lovers and will play an important role in conserving Maharashtra’s rich wildlife for future generations.
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FAQ
What is the Suryatara Sanctuary?
Suryatara Sanctuary is a new wildlife sanctuary planned in Maharashtra, inspired by Vantara in Gujarat. It aims to provide a safe home for tigers and other wild animals.
Why is the Suryatara Sanctuary being developed?
The main goal is to reduce tiger deaths, protect wildlife habitats, and boost eco-tourism and state revenue.
Where will the Suryatara Sanctuary be located?
It will be developed in Maharashtra, with selected land already identified by the forest department.
