Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) in Maharashtra’s Gondia district is set to bring its buffer notified area under direct control from 1 April. The move is expected to improve management, tourism planning and wildlife protection in the reserve. The decision was approved through a government resolution issued on 24 December last year.
Area Expansion and Administration
The buffer notified area of 652.20 square kilometres will be transferred to NNTR management. With this addition, the total area under the reserve will increase to 1,305.88 square kilometres. Officials said the unified control will allow faster decision-making, better coordination and more efficient use of resources.
Tourism and Visitor Facilities
The reserve plans to develop new safari gates, homestay facilities and adventure sports activities in the buffer zone. Under the new arrangement, tourism can continue in the buffer area throughout the year. This is because tourism in the core area is usually restricted during the monsoon season.
Wildlife Management and Conflict Reduction
The transfer is also expected to strengthen efforts to reduce man-animal conflict in the surrounding landscape. A larger area under one management structure may support better monitoring, habitat planning and quicker response to local issues. Officials also noted that micro-planning will become easier after the transfer.
Funding and Conservation Benefits
The change is likely to speed up the release and utilisation of funds for conservation and infrastructure work. It will also help the reserve function as a more integrated ecological unit. Such administrative consolidation is often seen as useful for tiger landscape management and long-term biodiversity protection.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026