Maharashtra’s Wildlife in Crisis: RTI Exposes Alarming Deaths of Tigers and Leopards

“Maharashtra’s Shocking RTI Revelation: 124 Tigers and 537 Leopards Dead in Just Four Years“

Maharashtra tiger deaths, leopard deaths RTI, wildlife crisis India, tiger conservation Maharashtra, poaching in Maharashtra, Khabar 24 Express

A shocking RTI has exposed the dark reality of Maharashtra’s wildlife — 124 tigers and 537 leopards have died between 2022 and 2025. Experts warn that increasing human interference and poaching could silence the roars of Maharashtra’s jungles forever.

Maharashtra, once proudly known as India’s “Tiger State”, is now facing a disturbing wildlife crisis. An RTI revelation has exposed that the state has lost 124 tigers and 537 leopards in just four years, painting a grim picture of the condition of its forests.

The shocking figures were disclosed by the Nagpur Forest Conservator’s office in response to an RTI query. According to the data, between 2022 and September 2025, Maharashtra recorded 142 tiger deaths and 537 leopard deaths — a number that has rattled conservationists and wildlife experts alike.

Year-wise Breakdown of Tiger Deaths

• 2022: 29 tigers dead
• 2023: 52 tigers dead
• 2024: 26 tigers dead
• 2025 (till September): 35 tigers dead

Out of these, 21 tigers died of natural causes, 5 in road accidents, 5 due to electrocution or poaching, and 4 under unclear circumstances.

Leopard Deaths Paint an Even Darker Picture

The situation for leopards is far worse. In 2025 alone, 115 leopards have died so far. Among them,

• 44 died due to natural causes,
• 42 in accidents,
• 2 due to poaching,
• 3 due to electrocution, and
• 21 from other unidentified causes.

These alarming numbers reveal how human negligence and uncontrolled development are threatening Maharashtra’s biodiversity.

Experts Sound the Alarm

According to the ‘Status of Tigers in India Report 2022’, Maharashtra had 444 tigers. But given the rising number of unnatural deaths, experts fear a sharp decline in the population.

Wildlife conservationists warn that illegal hunting, road construction, human encroachment, and unprotected power lines are key factors behind these deaths. If urgent action isn’t taken, Maharashtra could soon lose its identity as a “Tiger State”.

The Bigger Message: Protecting Nature is Protecting Ourselves

Nature gives us life — but it’s our responsibility to protect it. If humans fail to respect the boundaries of wildlife, forests may one day become just a story we tell our children.

If this report matters to you, share it, raise your voice, and stay connected with Khabar 24 Express — the platform that brings “News that reflects the truth, with a new vision for a new India.”

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