Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of Bombay high court on Wednesday indicated that the long-pending proposal to set up a rescue centre in the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve is close to fruition, with only one key approval remaining, and directed authorities to expedite the process by approaching the chief secretary without delay.Hearing a suo motu PIL initiated over the deteriorating health of the tiger ‘Chhota Matka’, a division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode was informed that most clearances required for the rescue centre have already been obtained. The Maharashtra Forest Development Corporation (FDCM), in its affidavit, stated that the project is now awaiting a final procedural approval linked to proceedings pending before the Supreme Court.Taking note of the submission, the court directed FDCM to immediately send a proposal to the chief secretary seeking approval to move an interlocutory application before the Supreme Court. The bench further ordered that a compliance report detailing the steps taken be submitted within two weeks.The rescue centre has assumed urgency against the backdrop of concerns over wildlife management and the need for specialised care facilities within protected forest zones. The court earlier took cognisance of the condition of ‘Chhota Matka’ and expanded the scope of proceedings to include systemic gaps in handling injured or vulnerable wildlife in the reserve.The affidavit clarified that while technical and administrative approvals for the project are largely in place, the requirement of judicial clearance arises because any construction activity in core or buffer zones of wildlife sanctuaries requires prior permission from the Supreme Court. In such cases, an interlocutory application must be filed to seek specific relief or exemption.The court noted that this procedural requirement should not lead to avoidable delays and emphasised the need for prompt administrative action. During the previous hearing, court-appointed amicus curiae Yashvardhan Sambare filed a revised petition specifically seeking the establishment of a rescue centre in Tadoba. Acting on this, the bench issued notice to FDCM and sought a clear timeline for construction and operationalisation of the facility.Appearing for the state, advocate SN Rao assisted the court in outlining the procedural framework and the current status of approvals. The bench, while monitoring compliance, signalled that it expects coordinated action between departments to ensure that the project does not remain stalled at the final stage.
