Pench Tiger Reserve
Speaking to TOI during a tour of Chorbahuli range in Pench Tiger Reserve, honorary wildlife warden Ajinkya Bhatkar said tigers move between Pench, Navegaon-Nagzira, Bor and other forests in search of prey, territory and mates. Nagpur: For tigers, forests are home, but their boundaries should not become barriers. This World Wildlife Week, the Nagpur Forest Division is highlighting the importance of wildlife connectivity, emphasising the need to link fragmented habitats and keep corridors open for animals to move between protected areas. However, expanding infrastructure, roads, railway lines, mining and urbanisation increasingly obstruct these movements.
Forest patches are shrinking due to various factors, making connectivity essential for protecting species,” he said. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Nagpur | Silver Rate in Nagpur | Bank Holidays in Nagpur | Public Holidays in Nagpur | Petrol Price in Nagpur | Diesel Price in Nagpur | CNG Price in Nagpur | LPG Price in Nagpur Stay updated with the latest Nagpur news.
Wildlife connectivity means linking these patches so animals can move freely between habitats,” Bhatkar said, giving the example of how tigers often move from one tiger reserve to another in search of prey, mates and territory. Divisional forest officer Ritesh Deogade said he had been visiting colleges personally to promote wildlife conservation and organising various competitions to encourage students to engage with the subject. “When we read the essays they had written on wildlife conservation, we realised that students are indeed thinking in the right direction and exploring sustainable ways to protect nature,” Deogade told TOI.
“Forests were once part of a continuous stretch, but human activities have fragmented them into smaller patches. This includes railway lines, roads, and even agricultural patches. He explained that corridors are essential for maintaining genetic flow between wildlife populations. When animals are isolated, limited movement can increase the risk of inbreeding and weaken populations over time. Connecting forest patches through natural corridors and suitable stretches of land can help animals move safely, supporting healthier populations and resilient ecosystems. “The idea is to bring people closer to nature under the theme of connecting wildlife and connecting habitats. The Nagpur Forest Division is also focusing on raising awareness among young people. Forest officials believe that awareness, alongside efforts to preserve and restore wildlife corridors, is crucial to ensuring that protected areas do not become isolated islands. Download the TOI App.