A major wildlife conservation project in Nagpur has hit a roadblock after funds meant for a transit treatment centre for rescued animals were allegedly blocked, triggering a fresh Vidarbha versus western Maharashtra controversy. The proposed facility, aimed at treating injured or rescued wildlife before relocation to forests, has remained stuck despite repeated demands from officials and conservationists.
The issue came to the fore after Maharashtra forest minister Ganesh Naik acknowledged that the project’s funds were not released, raising sharp questions over priorities in wildlife conservation spending. Nagpur and neighbouring Vidarbha districts witness frequent human–wildlife conflicts, including tiger and leopard rescues, making such a transit treatment facility crucial for the region.
Critics argue that while projects in western Maharashtra have received quicker approvals and financial backing, key conservation initiatives in Vidarbha continue to face delays. The stalled Nagpur centre has now become a flashpoint in the long-standing debate over whether the region is being neglected in state-level development and environmental planning.
Wildlife experts warn that the absence of a dedicated transit treatment facility forces forest officials to manage rescued animals with limited infrastructure, increasing risks for both wildlife and staff. With conflict cases rising across Vidarbha’s forest belt, pressure is mounting on the state government to release the pending funds and fast-track the project.
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