Cheetah Reintroduction at Kuno National Park Marks a Historic Milestone.
Madhya Pradesh boasts the largest forest cover in India, with forests spread across 30.72% of the state’s area, comprising 94,689 square kilometers (94.68 lakh hectares). This constitutes 12.30% of the nation’s total forest area. The state is a biodiversity hub, housing 24 wildlife sanctuaries, 11 national parks, and 8 tiger reserves, including Kanha, Pench, Bandhavgarh, Panna, Satpura, and Sanjay Dubri—milestones in tiger conservation.
Madhya Pradesh was the first state in India to implement the Wildlife Protection Act in 1973. Satpura Tiger Reserve is recognized as a candidate for UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list. Additionally, the state has established the Maharaja Martand Singh White Tiger Safari in Mukundpur to preserve white tigers.
Historic Achievement: Cheetah Reintroduction
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the reintroduction of cheetahs at Kuno National Park stands as a historic achievement. This initiative, a part of the Prime Minister’s visionary project, has elevated Madhya Pradesh’s status globally. Currently, the state is home to 3,300 leopards, representing 25% of India’s leopard population. Notably, the leopard population in the state has increased by 80%, compared to the national growth of 60%.
State’s Wildlife Conservation Efforts
Madhya Pradesh is also a sanctuary for gharial, vultures, wolves, leopards, and bears, solidifying its reputation as a biodiversity hotspot. It contributes to national biodiversity through tiger transfers to states like Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Odisha, approved by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
It was recently decided to make the Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary a tiger reserve. Covering 1,272 square kilometers across Raisen and Sehore districts, the reserve includes 763 square kilometers as the core zone for undisturbed tiger habitat and 507 square kilometers as a buffer zone to support local livelihoods. Ratapani’s proximity to Bhopal’s urban forest is positioning the city as the “Tiger Capital.”
Promoting Wildlife Tourism and Employment
The establishment of tiger reserves and improved wildlife management are expected to boost eco-tourism and generate employment opportunities for local communities.
Efforts to Mitigate Human-Wildlife Conflict
With over 30% of tigers roaming outside protected areas, human-wildlife conflict has emerged as a significant challenge. The state has established 14 regional rescue squads and a state-level rescue squad to mitigate conflicts by relocating wildlife from sensitive areas.
Each year, human-wildlife conflicts result in 80 human casualties, 15,000 livestock losses, and over 1,300 injuries. To address this, compensation for human casualties has been increased from ₹8 lakh to ₹25 lakh, and payments are guaranteed within 30 days under the Public Service Guarantee Act.
Focus on Elephant Management
Recognizing the rising elephant population, Madhya Pradesh has formed an Elephant Task Force and is developing a management plan incorporating AI technology and local community involvement. Eco-tourism in elephant habitats is being promoted to provide sustainable livelihoods to local residents.
A Legacy of Biodiversity Conservation
Madhya Pradesh considers all life forms as part of a shared family. Upholding this ethos, the state strives to preserve biodiversity for future generations. Efforts to protect forests, rivers, and wildlife are not just environmental imperatives but also a continuation of the state’s rich cultural heritage.
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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