The support and cooperation rendered by a number of agencies and individuals has greatly helped us in the preparation of this report.

We are grateful to Sh. M.G. Gogate,IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Maharashtra, Shri B. Majumdar,IFS, Addl. PCCF, Maharashtra, and Shri J.S.Grewal, IFS, CCF (Conservation), Maharashtra for their guidance and support in planning the field studies. We thank Shri Sree Bhagwan, IFS, CF (Evaluation), Maharashtra & former Field Director, Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve for sharing his valuable insights about the study area and wildlife conservation issues. We thank Shri S.S. Mishra, IFS, DCF (Administration), Shri Suresh Alurwar, IFS, DCF, and Shri K.R. Khadse, DCF, Bramhapuri Forest Division for organizing the logistics of the field visit. We are grateful to Shri Nitin Kakodkar, IFS, DCF, Tadoba National Park for accompanying us on the field trip and sharing his intimate knowledge of the study area.

We acknowledge the valuable support provided by the frontline staff of the Maharashtra Forest Department and VIDC in organizing the field component of this study.

We thank the officers and staff of the Vidharba Irrigation Development Corporation (VIDC), Maharashtra especially Sh. M.I. Shaikh, Superintending Engineer, GOSI, Lift Irrigation Circle and Shri G.K. Hatwar, Executive Engineer, VIDC for explaining us the engineering design features of the project and providing valuable assistance in organizing the field studies. We were benefited by the discussions with Shri Harshawardhan S. Dhanwatey, Tiger Research and Conservation Trust, Nagpur. We thank Shri R.N. Indurkar, former CCF (Wildlife), Maharashtra for sharing his valuable knowledge about wildlife conservation and management issues in Maharashtra State.

We are grateful to Shri Bittu Sehgal, Editor, Sanctuary Asia Magazine for sharing the findings of an earlier conducted study in the project area.

We thank Dr. Mehar Singh, Registrar, WII for providing valuable support in the preparation of this report.