Amid prayers and search ops, Maharashtra announces Rs 50,000 reward for info on 'Jai'

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis expressed hope that 'Jai' which has gone missing from a forest in the district would return as it had done in the past.

Nagpur: The Maharashtra government on Friday announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for providing genuine information about the state's favourite missing tiger – Jai.

The announcement was made by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who also expressed hope that 'Jai' which has gone missing from a forest in the district would return as it had done in the past.

The seven-year-old big cat went missing from Umred Karhandla wildlife sanctuary in April.

The tiger's disappearance has galvanised wildlife enthusiasts and people to launch a search in village after village near the sanctuary.

"Jai has the history of going astray and returning after some time. We (government) are hopeful and confident this time also the tiger will be tracked and traced," Fadanvis said at a function to mark International Tiger Day, organised by Forest Department here.

The CM also said he was happy to see people's reaction in the wake of big cat's disappearance.

"We are happy that missing of a tiger has created awareness about the wild animals and that people from all walks of life have evinced interest in the entire missing episode," he said.

'Jai' is named after a popular character with the same name in the iconic Bollywood movie "Sholay".

According to sources in Forest department, Jai's disappearance came to light when its collar gadget failed to transmit any radio signal.

Subsequently, a massive search and rescue operation was launched by Forest department, which was soon joined by wildlife enthusiasts.

Some citizens even organised prayers for Jai's well being and return recently.

On its part, the Forest department has deployed personnel who are familiar with the topography of the sanctuary to trace the feline.

With PTI inputs