Sahyadri Tiger Reserve Signs MoU with RESQ Charitable Trust to Boost Scientific Wildlife Management
Pune, 22nd November 2025: The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) under the Maharashtra Forest Department has formalised a partnership with RESQ Charitable Trust (RESQ CT) to strengthen scientific wildlife operations, veterinary response systems and long-term conservation planning across the Sahyadri landscape. The collaboration, sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding, will extend support to Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary and Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary as well.
Under the agreement, STR and RESQ CT will jointly work on wildlife health and emergency veterinary care, science-based wildlife capture and safe translocation, the deployment of trained veterinary and technical teams, and the use of advanced technology and best practices.
The partnership also focuses on building structured post-release monitoring systems and delivering specialised training programmes for frontline forest staff to improve operational efficiency on the ground.
Field Director of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, Tushar Chavan, IFS, said the collaboration would help uplift the Reserve’s scientific and technical capabilities.
“Strengthening our wildlife management systems through science-driven planning, skilled technical teams and professional veterinary support is essential for safeguarding the biodiversity of the Sahyadri landscape. This partnership enables us to enhance our field capability, improve the quality of interventions carried out across the Reserve and ensure that every operation reflects the highest standards of conservation practice,” he said.
RESQ Charitable Trust Founder and President, Neha Panchamiya, said the organisation was committed to contributing its expertise to the region’s wildlife protection efforts.
“The Sahyadri landscape is a rich biodiversity heritage of Maharashtra, and contributing to its conservation through professional support is deeply aligned with our mission. We are committed to strengthening STR’s efforts with scientific, welfare-focused and operationally sound assistance. We hope that our shared approach will lead to safer field operations, improved veterinary care and stronger conservation outcomes for the species and ecosystems that depend on this landscape,” she said.
The first field operation under the new partnership was successfully executed this week, with STR and RESQ CT teams jointly translocating 79 chitals (spotted deer) to Chandoli National Park over the past two days.
Officials described the move as a significant step in population management and habitat strengthening within the Sahyadri landscape.
