The number of tigers in Chhattisgarh (CG) has doubled in the last three years. While the number of tigers was 17 in the year 2022, it increased to 35 in the April 2025 survey. This information was given today in the 15th meeting of the Chhattisgarh State Wildlife Welfare Board held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai.
Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai said in the meeting that Protect Wildlife and Promotion of Wildlife Conservation in Chhattisgarh are our priority. Our state is very rich in the case of Sustainable Future and Wildlife. The government is fully committed to securing and developing them.
Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai expressed happiness over the double increase in the number of tigers in the state within three years and said that the number of tigers to increase from 17 to 35 is a proof that satisfactory work has been done in the direction of Animal Protection in Chhattisgarh. He said that now we have to make concerted efforts towards conservation and promotion of other wildlife. There are many areas of Chhattisgarh which can be developed through wildlife conservation. A large number of migratory birds come to Neemgaon in Jashpur district. There is a need to do necessary works for conservation and promotion of migratory birds here. Similarly, other areas should be identified and developed. This will not only increase tourism but will also create employment opportunities.
Board Vice President and Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap said in his address that along with the number of tigers in the state, conservation and promotion of other wildlife has also increased and efforts are on to improve their habitats. Further, better results will be revealed to the public. He said that the proposals passed today are important works of public interest, which will be helpful in establishing an atmosphere of peace. It has also been ensured that wildlife and biodiversity do not suffer any kind of damage.
The Board Member Secretary Arun Kumar Pandey, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Conservator (Wildlife) was presented on departmental achievements and agenda. The member secretary said that the most tiger in the state is in Achanakmar Tiger Reserve. In view of the decision passed in the 14th meeting of the State Wildlife Board, the National Vyagha Protection Authority, New Delhi has been allowed to translite the tiger and tigress from Madhya Pradesh in Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve and Guru Ghasidas Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve. Translocation proceedings will be completed soon.
He informed that continuous efforts are being made by the department to increase the number of state animal forests. The number of forests brought from Assam is increasing. Similarly, special efforts are also being made to conserve the state bird hill myna. A group called “Maina Mitra” have been formed, which monitors Maina and monitors her habitat. Other facilities are being extended to attract tourists to the Tiger Reserve and Kanger Valley National Park, which will provide employment to the nearby villagers and will also get support in wildlife conservation.
In the meeting, proposals for construction of patrol route for wildlife conservation and promotion and rationalization of protected area were approved. Road construction work from Dhawalpur to Kukrar under Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, Gariaband; Pipeline expansion work under Mission Amrit Yojana; And permission was given to lay optical fiber cable for internet facility in Kawardha forest division. This will provide mobile and internet connectivity to the villagers residing in the forest areas, will provide digital payments to the beneficiaries under government schemes, improve the socio-economic development of the villagers and strengthen information communication for regional staff.
In the meeting, members of the State Wildlife Welfare Board gave their important suggestions for wildlife conservation. MLA Dharmajit Singh, MLA Chaitram Atami, Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, Director General of Police Arun Dev Gautam, Additional Chief Secretary Forest and Climate Change Department Mrs. Richa Sharma, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Principal Chief Conservator and Forest Force Head. Srinivasa Rao, Secretary Van Amarnath Prasad and other honorable members and eminent wildlife experts of non-government institutions were present.
