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Maharashtra forest dept partners with Microsoft, Pune NGO for eco-restoration of Tamhini Wildlife Sanctuary

Located 70 km from Pune, Tamhini Wildlife Sanctuary is renowned for its scenic beauty and rich biodiversity, hosting a wide variety of plant and animal species.

2 min readPuneUpdated: Jun 6, 2025 08:40 PM IST

Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Tushar Chavan recently announced that the Maharashtra forest department recently partnered with Microsoft and the Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA), Pune, to address socio-ecological challenges in the Tamhini Wildlife Sanctuary.

Located 70 km from Pune, Tamhini Wildlife Sanctuary is renowned for its scenic beauty and rich biodiversity, hosting a wide variety of plant and animal species.

Funded by Microsoft, the initiative will be executed on the ground by CYDA in close coordination with the forest department. Work will commence from July, officials said.

Tamhini is particularly visited during the monsoon season for its picturesque landscape and popular attractions within the reserve forest area, including Andharban forest, Plus Valley, and Devkund. Situated at the crest of the Western Ghats, the sanctuary features several trails for hiking, birding, and walking. The valley resembles a plus sign when viewed from above and is a major draw for visitors who like to trek.

However, at times, due to inadequate signboards, some lose their way, officials said. When contacted, Pravin Jadhav, Executive Director, CYDA, said they had completed a needs-based assessment survey and proposed a wide array of interventions at the sanctuary.

“It is a moderately long trek, and the survey also noted that there were no benches. There was also a need to install protective gates and solar lights,” Prasad Zaware, Community Engagement Officer, Microsoft, also observed. Facilities for both wildlife and tourists will be set up, which include drinking water blocks. “Sanitation blocks will also be constructed apart from managing plastic waste by installing dustbins and bottle crushers,” Jadhav said.

“This collaboration marks a meaningful step towards participatory conservation and the integration of nature-based solutions to combat climate and biodiversity challenges,” Chavan said.

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Srichandana Nagoji, Community Affairs Lead (India and Kuala Lumpur), Microsoft, added that their partnership not only targets ecological restoration but also builds awareness and engagement with local stakeholders and visitors. “Microsoft is committed to supporting projects that address global challenges like climate change and biodiversity conservation through localised, community-driven efforts,” Nagoji said, adding that the project aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Anuradha Mascarenhas

Anuradha Mascarenhas is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With a career spanning three decades, she is one of the most respected voices in Indian journalism regarding healthcare, science and environment and research developments. She also takes a keen interest in covering women's issues . Professional Background Education: A gold medalist in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a Master’s degree in Literature. Author: She authored the biography At The Wheel Of Research, which chronicles the life and work of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the former Chief Scientist at the WHO. Key Focus: She combines scientific accuracy with storytelling, translating complex medical research into compelling public and human-interest narratives. Awards and Recognition Anuradha has won several awards including the Press Council of India's national award for excellence in journalism under the gender based reporting category in 2019 and the Laadli Media award (gender sensitivity -2024). A recipient of the Lokmat journalism award (gender category-2022), she was also shortlisted for the RedInk awards for excellence in journalism-2021. Her debut book At The Wheel Of Research, an exclusive biography of Dr Soumya Swaminathan the inaugural chief scientist of World Health Organisation was also nominated in the Popular Choice Category of JK Paper AUTHER awards. She has also secured competitive fellowships including the Laadli Media Fellowship (2022), the Survivors Against TB – New Research in TB Media Fellowship (2023) and is part of the prestigious 2025 India Cohort of the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey.” Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) 1. Cancer & Specialized Medical Care "Tata Memorial finds way to kill drug-resistant cancer cells" (Nov 26, 2025): Reporting on a breakthrough for triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. Discipline, diet and purpose; How a 97-year-old professor defies ageing'' (Nov 15, 2025) Report about Prof Gururaj Mutalik, the first Head of Department at Pune's B J Government Medical College who at 97 credits his longevity to healthy habits and a strong sense of purpose. 2. Environmental Health (The "Breathless Pune" Series) Long-term exposure even to 'moderate' air leads to chronic heart, lung, kidney issues" (Nov 26, 2025): Part of an investigative series highlighting that even "safe" pollution levels are damaging to vital organs. "For every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 level, there was 6-8% jump in medicine sales" (Nov 23, 2025): Using commercial data to prove the direct link between air quality and respiratory illnesses in Pune. 3. Lifestyle & Wellness News "They didn't let cancer, diabetes and heart disease stop them from travelling" (Dec 22, 2025): A collaborative piece featuring survivors who share practical tips for traveling with chronic conditions. At 17, his BP shot up to 200/120 mmHG; Lancet study flags why child and teen hypertension doubled between 2000 and 2020'' (Nov 12,2025)--A report that focusses on 17-year-old-boy's hypertensive crisis and reflects the rising global trend of high blood pressure among children and adolescents. 4. Scientific Recognition & Infrastructure For promoting sci-comm, gender diversity: IUCAA woman prof highlighted in Nature" (Nov 25, 2025): Covering the global recognition of Indian women scientists in gender studies and physics. Pune researchers find a spiral galaxy like the Milky Way from early universe'' (December 3, 2025)- A report on how Indian researchers discovered a massive galaxy that existed when the universe was just 1.5 billion years old , one of the earliest to have been observed so far. Signature Beat: Health, Science & Women in Leadership Anuradha is known for her COVID-19 reportage, where she was one of the first journalists to provide detailed insights into the Covishield and Covaxin trials. She has a dedicated interest in gender diversity in health and science, often profiling women researchers who are breaking the "leaky pipeline" in STEM fields. Her writing style is scrupulous, often featuring interviews with top-tier scientists and health experts from various institutions. ... Read More

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