The renowned Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Chandrapur district, a crucial part of the central India tiger corridor, faces an ongoing threat from the state’s forest minister, who, contrary to the National Board for Wildlife’s (NBWL) earlier refusal, persistently advocates for the construction of an airport near Chandrapur. Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, a native of Chandrapur, insists on the airport project under the pretext of promoting tourism, despite the existence of Nagpur Airport, located about two hours away from his city.
In September of this year, the NBWL rejected a proposal by the Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation to establish a greenfield airport at Vihirgaon and Murti villages in Rajura taluka, Chandrapur. The NBWL standing committee emphasized that the proposed site, given its wildlife value and connection to tiger corridors, should not be considered for airport construction, based on a survey report from the Wildlife Institute of India.
Undeterred by the NBWL’s decision, Mungantiwar has urged the State Wildlife Board to resubmit the airport proposal. Despite an existing small airport at Morwa near Chandrapur, deemed impractical for expansion, Mungantiwar advocates for a new airport, requiring a significant portion of forest land and the felling of 3,392 trees.
Discussions on the airport issue resumed in the State Board for Wildlife (SBWL) meeting in October, where the rejection by NBWL was acknowledged. However, Mungantiwar directed the proposal to be sent for reconsideration to the NBWL Standing Committee, emphasizing the proposal’s merits.
The state government, highlighting the challenges of alternative sites, informed NBWL that the proposed site is 39 km from the Morwa Airport. Mungantiwar, citing the airport’s necessity for industries and addressing Naxal activity, expressed determination, stating that if the proposal faces rejection again, the people of Chandrapur, led by the Chandrapur Vikas group, will take the matter to court.
