Tadoba National Park in Maharashtra is well known for tigers and other wild animals. Many people visit for safaris, which also helps the local economy. But the park has a major issue. It does not have a full rescue and treatment centre. Only a small transit centre is available, which cannot treat serious injuries or illnesses.
Animals must be sent to Gorewada, Nagpur, for better care, which takes time. This delay can risk their lives. The need for a full rescue centre became urgent after a tiger, Chhota Matka, fell sick. Even the Bombay High Court noticed this problem.
Current Situation At Tadoba National Park
Right now, Tadoba Park only has a small transit treatment centre. This centre can give basic care like first aid or short-term help, but it cannot treat serious injuries or illnesses. There is not enough medical equipment, space, or trained doctors for big surgeries or long-term treatment. When animals are in serious condition, they are sent to the Gorewada Rescue Centre in Nagpur. This is far from Tadoba, and the long journey can make the animal’s health worse.
Tadoba National Park is over 116.55 square kilometres in size and is one of India’s top tiger reserves. Many tourists visit for the Tadoba safari, so a small treatment unit is not enough for such an important park. A full rescue and veterinary centre is urgently needed inside the park.
If built, animals can be treated quickly without delay. Doctors will always be available nearby. This will help improve their health and make the park safer and better for wildlife management.
The Concern Over Chhota Matka (The Tiger)
The issue of a rescue centre became urgent because of the condition of a famous tiger named Chhota Matka. Chhota Matka is an important tiger of Tadoba National Park and has been seen by many tourists during the Tadoba safari. Recently, his health became very poor, and he was seen struggling to walk. Videos and photos of him in this condition were shared widely in the media and on social networks. This made many people very worried about the tiger’s well-being.
The Bombay High Court took the matter seriously after seeing these reports. The court asked the Forest Department to examine Chhota Matka and give a detailed health report. An advocate named Yashovardhan Sambare was also appointed as amicus curiae, which means he was given the responsibility to assist the court in this matter. He was even allowed to personally visit and check on Chhota Matka’s condition. His observations confirmed that there was an urgent need to improve the healthcare system for animals in Tadoba Park.
The case of Chhota Matka clearly shows why Tadoba National Park cannot depend only on a transit treatment centre. A full rescue and veterinary hospital is necessary to provide immediate and long-term care to tigers and other animals. Without such a facility, animals like Chhota Matka may continue to suffer.
Call For A Full Rescue Centre
Advocate Yashovardhan Sambare strongly suggested that a full rescue centre must be built at Tadoba National Park. This suggestion is very important because the park is home to many species that may need advanced medical help. Tigers are the main attraction for the Tadoba safari, but other animals like leopards, wild dogs, sloth bears, deer, and several bird species also live in the park. Some of them are endangered and require special care.
A rescue centre inside Tadoba Park would make it possible to treat injured or sick animals immediately. It would have modern facilities, doctors, medicines, and proper enclosures for rehabilitation. This would reduce the delay in treatment and also remove the need to transport animals long distances to other centres. For a park as large as Tadoba, having an in-house hospital is the best option.
This centre would also help in research and health monitoring of animals. Regular check-ups and health records could be maintained, which would improve overall wildlife management. By ensuring the safety and health of animals, Tadoba National Park would also improve the experience of tourists who come for the Tadoba safari. Healthy animals are more likely to be seen in the wild, which increases tourist satisfaction and supports the local economy.
Concerns About The Forest Department’s Actions
The situation of Chhota Matka has also raised questions about the Forest Department’s response. Many people believe that the department acted slowly and did not provide proper medical help on time. Critics say that this delay in treatment may have worsened the tiger’s condition. The fact that the tiger had to be sent to Gorewada for treatment, instead of being treated inside Tadoba Park, made the problem worse.
These concerns are not only about animal health but also about the reputation of Tadoba safari. Tigers like Chhota Matka are star attractions for visitors. When tourists do not see healthy tigers, it can reduce the interest in visiting Tadoba National Park. Wildlife tourism is one of the main sources of income for the park and nearby villages. If tourists feel that the Forest Department is careless or slow in caring for the animals, it may reduce the number of visitors. This can directly affect the local economy and the funding available for conservation.
For these reasons, many experts and nature lovers are asking the Forest Department to act faster and with more responsibility. Having a proper rescue centre inside Tadoba National Park would also make the work of the Forest Department easier and more effective.
Court’s Decision And Future Steps
The Bombay High Court has taken the problem very seriously. It has allowed a revised petition to be filed, which focuses on the need for a full rescue centre in Tadoba National Park. The court has also asked the Forest Department to provide a complete health report on Chhota Matka. This report will help the court decide the next steps.
The court wants to make sure that the Forest Department takes proper care of the animals in Tadoba Park. It also wants to see that a long-term solution, like a rescue centre, is set up quickly. The court will review the matter again soon, and its decisions will guide how fast the Forest Department moves in this direction.
In the meantime, the Forest Department has to act carefully and provide regular updates about Chhota Matka. This case is now very important not only for one tiger but also for the overall future of animal healthcare in Tadoba National Park.
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