Wildlife Monitoring
Western Cold field
The Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) coal mine is an open-pit mine located near Chandrapur city. Since it is adjacent to the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve and the Chandrapur Regional Forest Division, the area experiences frequent wildlife movement. The presence of dense shrubland, abundant water sources, and ample prey has made this region a suitable habitat for various wild animals.
Wildlife often enters the residential areas near the WCL open-pit mines. Leopards have been captured multiple times, and bears are frequently spotted in residential colonies and office premises. However, with the presence of carnivores like leopards, tigers, and bears, there is always a risk of attacks on humans. Unfortunately, due to a lack of precaution, three people have lost their lives in leopard attacks.
To monitor wildlife activity in these open-pit mines, our organization has deployed camera traps to track the movement of wild animals. The camera traps have recorded the presence of tigers, leopards, bears, chital (spotted deer), sambar deer, and wild boars. Given the potential risk that dense shrubland poses to human settlements, our organization continues to monitor wildlife activity in this area to ensure safety.
Maharashtra Electromelt Limited (MEL)
Maharashtra Electromelt Limited (MEL) / Chandrapur Ferro Alloy Plant is a steel production facility located adjacent to the forests of the Chandrapur Regional Forest Development Corporation and near a wildlife corridor. Due to this proximity, wildlife sightings are common in the area.
Leopards, in particular, have been frequently spotted near the Chandrapur Ferro Alloy Plant, especially in the employee residential colony. Since the plant is also close to human settlements, there is a potential risk of wildlife encounters. Stray animals in the area often become prey for leopards, though no human casualties have been reported so far.
The presence of a protective wall around the Chandrapur Ferro Alloy Plant helps reduce the risk, but leopards occasionally venture into residential areas. Given the possibility of human-wildlife conflict, our organization, in collaboration with the Forest Department, regularly monitors the area using camera traps and patrols. These efforts ensure that potential threats are identified early, preventing any harm to human life.
Super Thermal Powerplant
CSTPS is located near the buffer zone of the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, where a stream from the forest has been flowing into the Thermal Power Station area for many years. Due to the presence of numerous trees, the area has acquired a forest-like environment.
For several years, leopards have inhabited this region. However, as the tiger population increased, tigers also started appearing in the vicinity of the Chandrapur Thermal Power Station. Since the area is small, employees of the power station began spotting tigers near the roads. Eventually, the tigers started residing in the area, as it provided ample prey, including chital (spotted deer), sambar deer, and wild boars. A tigress even gave birth to cubs there.
This led to a sense of fear in the thermal power station area. Therefore, our organization, along with the Chandrapur Forest Department, worked to ensure the safety of the residents in the power station colony. On several occasions, due to the increasing threat posed by leopards, some had to be captured.
To monitor wildlife activity, our organization installed camera traps in the vicinity of the Chandrapur Thermal Power Station. These cameras recorded the presence of various animals, including chital, sambar, wild boars, porcupines, tigers, leopards, and bears. We have been continuously monitoring their movements in collaboration with the Forest Department.
Since this thermal power station is located close to Chandrapur city, wild animals have frequently entered the urban area. On one occasion, a bear wandered into the premises of the Durgapur Police Station. Similarly, a leopard strayed into a residential area in Ghutkala Ward.
At that time, our organization, in collaboration with the Forest Department, successfully captured the leopard without causing any harm to the residents or the animal.