Bhopal
The forest area of Madhya Pradesh is the most extensive in the country. Nature has blessed the forests here with immense wealth. The state has 30.72 percent forest area which is 12.30 percent of the total forest area of the country. The total forest area here is 94 thousand 689 square kilometers (94 lakh 68 thousand 900 hectares). Scientific management of forest areas and conservation and promotion of forest resources are working at the regional level in 16 circles, 64 forest divisions, 135 sub-forest divisions, 473 circles, 871 sub-forest circles and 8 thousand 286 complexes. There are 24 sanctuaries, 11 national parks and 8 tiger reserves in the state, in which Kanha, Pench, Bandhavgarh, Panna, Satpura and Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserves have proved to be a milestone in the conservation of tigers.
Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country to implement the Wildlife Protection Act. The Wild Life Protection Act was implemented in the state in the year 1973. Satpura Tiger Reserve of the state has been included in the probable list of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Maharaja Martand Singh Zoo Dev White Tiger Safari has been established in Mukundpur for the conservation of white tigers in Madhya Pradesh, efforts are underway to make it world class. Satpura Tiger Reserve is an ideal shelter and most favorable place for breeding of many wild animals including tigers. The tigress, famously known as ‘Collared Tigress’ of Pench Tiger Reserve, is also known as ‘Super-Mom’ due to the unique world record of giving birth to 29 cubs in the maximum number of 8 deliveries. Hard ground reindeer, especially found in Kanha Tiger Reserve, has got the status of state animal of Madhya Pradesh.
The restoration of cheetahs in Kuno National Park due to the tireless efforts of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is a historic achievement. This is the dream project of Prime Minister Shri Modi. This project has made the state of Madhya Pradesh proud at the international level. There are more than 13 thousand leopards in the country, out of which 25 percent are in Madhya Pradesh. The number of leopards in the state is more than 3300. The population of leopards in the country has increased by 60 percent, while in Madhya Pradesh this increase is 80 percent. Madhya Pradesh is also leading in the country in the number of crocodiles, vultures, wolves, leopards and bears. Apart from being the home of tigers, Madhya Pradesh is also the home of leopards, leopards, vultures and crocodiles. Recently the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has approved the translocation of some tigers from Madhya Pradesh to Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Orissa. In this way, Madhya Pradesh is also contributing in enriching the bio-diversity of other states.
Important steps are being taken to keep tigers safe and protected in Madhya Pradesh. Recently, Ratapani Sanctuary of the state has also been declared a Tiger Reserve. It is noteworthy that Ratapani has always been the home of tigers. A total area of 1272 square kilometers of Ratapani Sanctuary is notified in Raisen and Sehore districts. After the formation of the Tiger Reserve, 763 square kilometers of the total area has been declared as core area. This is the area where tigers will be able to move freely without any human interference. The remaining 507 square kilometers has been declared a buffer area. This area is located around the core area. Local communities will be able to use it with some restrictions. The livelihood of the local people living nearby is linked to this area. Due to the proximity of Bhopal’s Urban Forest to Ratapani, Bhopal will now be recognized as the Tiger Capital. The creation of Ratapani as a Tiger Reserve will boost tourism, which will create new employment opportunities for the local people.
Government’s efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflict
Madhya Pradesh is a tiger and leopard state. Here more than 30 percent of the tigers are roaming outside the protected areas. Due to this, the possibility of human-wildlife conflict has increased. To reduce human-wildlife conflict, 14 regional rescue squads and one state level rescue squad have been formed for rescue in wildlife corridors and other forest areas. Wildlife will be rescued from areas sensitive to human-wildlife conflict and released into protected forest areas, which will enable more effective management and conservation of wildlife. In these conflicts every year, on an average, 80 percent of human casualties, 15 thousand animals are lost and 1300 civilians are injured. To reduce human-wildlife conflict, the government has decided to increase the compensation amount in cases of loss of life from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. In these cases, compensation amount is paid within 30 days under the Public Service Guarantee Act.
In view of the increasing number of elephants in the state, an Elephant Task Force has been formed. A plan is being prepared for elephant management. In this, participation of local communities is also being included in the management using AI technology. Employment is being provided to the local people through tourism activities in the elephant roaming area.
