History

The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) is situated in the Sahyadri Ranges of the Western Ghats, encompassing parts of four districts in Maharashtra: Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Ratnagiri. It was officially notified as a Tiger Reserve on 5 February 2010, making it the fourth Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. The reserve comprises two protected areas: Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and Chandoli National Park.

The Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary was declared by the Government of Maharashtra on 16 September 1985, covering an area of 423.55 sq. km. Similarly, the Chandoli Wildlife Sanctuary was also declared on the same date, with an area of 308.97 sq. km. Subsequently, the intention to establish Chandoli National Park was notified on 14 May 2004, covering an area of 317.67 sq. km.

The proposal to designate the area as a Tiger Reserve was initiated in 2005 by the Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Kolhapur, who submitted the proposal to the Chief Wildlife Warden of Maharashtra.

The establishment of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve was completed in two phases:

• 5 January 2010: The Government of Maharashtra notified an area of 741.22 sq. km as the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, comprising Chandoli National Park and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary.

• 21 August 2012: The Government of Maharashtra issued a notification designating 600.12 sq. km as the Critical Tiger Habitat (Core Area) and 565.45 sq. km as the Buffer (Peripheral) Area, bringing the total area of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve to 1,165.57 sq. km.