Raipur, September 09, 2025/ The number of tigers in Chhattisgarh has doubled in the last three years. Where the number of tigers was 17 in the year 2022, it increased to 35 in the survey of April 2025. This information was given today in the 15th meeting of the Chhattisgarh State Wildlife Welfare Board, which was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai said in the meeting that conservation and promotion of wildlife is our priority in Chhattisgarh. Our state is very rich in terms of forest wealth and wildlife. The government is fully committed to protect and develop them.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, expressing happiness over the doubling of the number of tigers in the state within three years, said that the increase in the number of tigers from 17 to 35 is proof that satisfactory work has been done in the direction of wildlife conservation in Chhattisgarh. He said that now we will have to make concrete efforts in the direction of conservation and promotion of other wildlife as well. 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 the necessary work for the conservation and promotion of migratory birds here. Similarly, other areas should be identified and developed. This will not only increase tourism but also create employment opportunities.
Board Vice President and Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap said in his address that along with the number of tigers in the state, there has also been an increase in the conservation and promotion of other wildlife and efforts are on to improve their habitats. Further, better results will come before the public. He said that the proposals passed today are important works of public interest, which will help in establishing an atmosphere of peace. Along with this, it has also been ensured that wildlife and biodiversity are not harmed in any way.
Board Member Secretary Shri Arun Kumar Pandey, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) gave a presentation on departmental achievements and agenda. The Member Secretary informed that the maximum number of tigers in the state are in Achanakmar Tiger Reserve. In the context of the decisions passed in the 14th meeting of the State Wildlife Board, the National Tiger Conservation Authority, New Delhi, has given permission for the translocation of tigers and tigresses from Madhya Pradesh to Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve and Guru Ghasidas Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve. The translocation will be completed soon.
He informed that the department is making continuous efforts to increase the number of state animal, the wild buffalo. The number of wild buffaloes brought from Assam is increasing. Similarly, special efforts are also being made for the conservation of the state bird, the hill myna. A group called “Myna Mitra” has been formed, which protects the myna and monitors their habitat. Other facilities are being expanded in the Tiger Reserve and Kanger Valley National Park to attract tourists, which will provide employment to the villagers nearby and also get support in wildlife conservation.
In the meeting, the proposals for construction of patrol routes and rationalization of protected areas for wildlife conservation and promotion were approved. Road construction work from Dhavalpur to Kukrar under Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, Gariaband; Pipeline expansion work under Mission Amrit Yojana; And permission was granted to lay optical fiber cable for internet facility in Kawardha Forest Division. This will provide mobile and internet connectivity to the villagers living in forest areas, beneficiaries will get the facility of digital payment under government schemes, there will be improvement in the socio-economic development of the villagers and information transmission will be strengthened for the regional staff.
In the meeting, the members of the State Wildlife Welfare Board gave their important suggestions for wildlife conservation. MLA Shri Dharmjit Singh, MLA Shri Chaitram Atami, Chief Secretary Shri Amitabh Jain, Director General of Police Shri Arun Dev Gautam, Additional Chief Secretary Forest and Climate Change Department Smt. Richa Sharma, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Subodh Kumar Singh, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Shri V. Srinivas Rao, Secretary Forest Shri Amarnath Prasad and other honorable members and eminent wildlife experts from non-governmental organizations were present.