In a first, the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) has launched ‘Zero Waste Tadoba’ project to be implemented jointly by Mohurli Gram Panchayat, Chandrapur Zilla Parishad, and two NGO partners.

Tadoba draws at least 200 thousand visitors each season and coupled with the local population there is a significantly large volume of waste being generated which not only affects the environment, wildlife, and public health adversely but is also an eyesore for the tourists as well as residents. On an average, 13 lakh disposable water bottles are generated as waste from visitors near TATR.

“In a bid to tackle the problem, the project has started from Mohurli and will cover all the 89 villages in the buffer zone of Tadoba in phases,” said Dr Jitendra S Ramgaokar, conservator of forests; field director, TATR.

We at Tadoba thought someone should take the responsibility to tackle the menace and hence launched the project with people’s participation and hand-handling by NGO partners reCharkha – The EcoSocial Tribe and My EcoSocial Planet Foundation,” said Ramgaonkar.

As per the mandate, all the resorts, hotels, and homestays should segregate garbage at source into three bins and also ensure segregation by tourists and staff. The three bins include Green for compostable organic waste, Blue for recyclable waste, and Red for non-recyclable hazardous waste. Resorts and hotels have been asked to keep such bins in each room, kitchen, stores, offices and staff quarters, and all public and common spaces.