The National Wildlife Board has rejected the proposal to construct an airport in the protected tiger area of Chandrapur.

The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has declined the Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation’s proposal to build a Greenfield airport in Vihirgaon and Murti villages of Rajura taluka in Chandrapur, Maharashtra. The rejection stems from concerns about its potential impact on wildlife and human-wildlife conflicts. The proposed airport would cover 63.540 hectares of land, including protected and reserve forest areas. The Wildlife Institute of India reported that this site is unsuitable due to its significance as a wildlife corridor. Additionally, it was noted that there are already airports in Chandrapur and Nagpur within a 150-kilometer radius. The project was also rejected under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. Despite these setbacks, State Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar aimed to use the airport to promote tiger tourism and intends to push for it despite opposition. The Forest Advisory Committee suggested exploring non-forest land options or expanding the existing Chandrapur (Morwa) airport instead.