Maharashtra is facing a significant crisis in wildlife conservation, with a recent Right to Information (RTI) query revealing alarming statistics on the deaths of tigers and leopards in the state. Over the past four years, Maharashtra has lost 142 tigers and 537 leopards. These numbers highlight the growing challenges in protecting these iconic species, despite ongoing conservation efforts.
The RTI data, obtained from the State Wildlife Wing by Nagpur-based activist Abhay Kolarkar, exposes a disturbing trend of increasing deaths due to various causes, including poaching, natural causes, accidents, and electrocution. Poaching remains a significant threat, with 53 big cats, including 32 tigers and 21 leopards, falling victim to illegal hunting between January 2021 and August 2024. The year 2023 saw the highest poaching figures, with 15 tigers and 9 leopards killed for their body parts.
In the period between January and April 2025, 22 tigers and 40 leopards died in Maharashtra. Thirteen of the tiger deaths were attributed to natural causes, four to electrocution, and four to accidents. Among the leopard deaths, eight were due to natural causes, 20 to accidents, and three to poaching. The causes of death for the remaining tigers and leopards remain unknown.
Accidents, particularly those involving roads and railways, contribute significantly to the mortality of these animals. Increasing human intervention in forest fringes, including the construction of roads and railway lines, disrupts the animals' habitats and increases the risk of such accidents. Electrocution from power lines and falling into open wells are other major accidental causes of death.
The rise in human-wildlife conflict also plays a role in these deaths. As leopard populations grow and expand into new territories, interactions with humans increase, leading to conflicts and, in some cases, fatalities for both humans and animals. In fact, leopard attacks accounted for the second-highest number of human deaths due to wild animal conflict in Maharashtra, with 99 deaths recorded until March 2024. The increasing number of wild animals has posed a tough challenge, even as the forest department is taking preventive measures.
The state government has acknowledged the concerning number of deaths and has stated it is taking measures to protect tigers, leopards, and other wildlife. These include deploying Special Tiger Protection Force (TPF) teams, establishing district-level informant networks, using wireless surveillance systems, and conducting cyber cell operations. The Maharashtra Forest Department and the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company are also implementing preventive measures to reduce accidental deaths due to electrocution and other causes. The state has operationalized a helpline number, 1926, for reporting forest crimes like poaching, illegal encroachment, and deforestation. The Maharashtra Compensation for Loss, Injury or Damage caused by Wild Animals Act, 2023, ensures timely compensation for victims affected by wildlife incidents.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Activist Abhay Kolarkar noted that the actual numbers of poached animals could be higher than reported, as many deaths are often misclassified or remain unconfirmed due to delayed forensic reports. He also pointed out that the Forest Department has struggled to maintain a centralized database of criminals involved in poaching, which is crucial for tracking and monitoring cases.
The loss of tigers and leopards in Maharashtra is a serious issue that requires a multi-faceted approach involving stricter anti-poaching measures, habitat preservation, mitigation of human-wildlife conflict, and increased awareness among local communities. Without concerted efforts, the state risks further depletion of its iconic wildlife and the disruption of its natural ecosystems.
