Increasing urbanisation has been putting pressure on these forested corridors that link protected areas, and their conservation has become crucial for reducing chances of inbreeding and maintaining genetic diversity of tigers.

Maharashtra finance minister SudhirMungantiwar, who is also the forest minister, told dna that in the third Asia ministerial conference on tiger conservation in New Delhi this month, the state sought a tiger research centre to be set up in either Nagpur or Chandrapur.

"At present, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) conducts research on tigers. But more work is necessary. Nagpur occupies a vantage position, as 13 tiger projects lie in the proximity, including five in Maharashtra, three in Chhattisgarh, four in Madhya Pradesh and one in Telangana," said Mungantiwar.

"Such concentration cannot be seen anywhere else. The region also has one of the best tiger corridors. These corridors must be protected. Otherwise, this will affect their movement and genetic diversity. Inbreeding will lead to a weaker species," he pointed out, adding that the proposed centre could also focus on preserving these corridors. "A tiger should not be seen as a mere animal. It is at the apex of the food chain. By keeping the number of herbivores in check, it helps conserve the forest," Mungantiwar noted.

Welcoming the decision, Corbett Foundation director Kedar Gore said it was a step in the right direction but just these research centers won't help. "The entire landscape has a very good tiger population and a research centre would certainly help and benefit the conservation efforts. At the same time, however, the state government will also have to walk the talk on its initiatives to protect tigers by protecting the vital corridors and not allowing any kind of destruction," said Gore.

Meanwhile Anish Andheria, who heads the Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT) said Nagpur was certainly the tiger capital of the country and research should always be encouraged. "The state should also put more emphasis on studying various other critically endangered species, such as the Great Indian Bustard, Pangolins and Wild Buffalo. The proposed research centre should also take into account the tigers outside the protected areas, which are more threatened and vulnerable," he added.

On the other hand, another well-known expert and naturalist questioned the need for such a centre, when already there were several premier research bodies. "These plans sound more of an eyewash from the government.

On the one hand, the government holds the world conference on tigers and talks about wanting to save them, but on the other hand, does not even listen to researchers and activists, who have been protesting against the destruction of tigers' most vital corridor for NH7, and are not even concerned about following mitigation measures," he said, requesting not to be named.

State seeks full Central funding for STPF

The state has sought that the funding pattern for the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) be changed. At present, 60% of the funds come from the Centre, while the state pitches in the remaining. Maharashtra forest minister SudhirMungantiwar said he has asked for the government of India to fully fund the STPF, considering the mobility of tigers across state boundaries. This would also ensure conservation of tigers in states that are financially strapped or feel the need to focus on other issues, such as basic infrastructure, instead of wildlife conservation. The STPF is a specialised force deployed in reserves with a substantial tiger population, to curb activities such as poaching.