BHOPAL | Aug 12, 2015: The issue of sand mining in Son and Chambal reserve forests was discussed extensively at the meeting of State Wildlife Board here on Tuesday. MLA Nagendra Singh said that permission for excavation of sand in Chambal Crocodile Sanctuary should be given.
A discussion on the issue of notification of area for sand mining also took place. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said a committee of experts should be formed to consider this matter. Almost all members of the Board opposed approval of Ken-Betwa project in Panna Tiger Reserve. These members were of the view that it must be decided whether protection of wildlife is our priority or the projects.
The permission for expansion of Habibganj railway station was also given in the meeting. As Van Vihar National Park comes within 10 kilometres of periphery of the station, the Board gave conditional permission for its expansion.
Chauhan in the meeting said livelihood of forest dwellers is also important along with conservation of wildlife. He said better wildlife management has resulted in rise in the number of animals in national parks and sanctuaries of the state. The government is fully committed to saving wildlife and their habitats. The views and suggestions of wildlife conservation experts would be incorporated in directives to be issued,
It was informed in the meeting that the population of state animal ‘Barasingha’ has increased from 60 to 600. Tiger and Tigress were brought from Bandhavgarh to Satpura Tiger Reserve whereas rehabilitation of spotted deer was also done. The experts said that the rise in number of tigers in Panna to 30 was an unprecedented achievement.
Tiger Conservation expert and Board member Belinda Wright said the news of the successful Tiger conservation in Panna has reached countries like Kazakhistan and Cambodia. She said Panna has attained the status of school of wildlife conservation at International level. American company ‘Trip Advisor’ has given certificate of excellence to Kanha National Park for 2015. Similarly, Travel Operators for Tigers has given the status of excellent wild life spot to Satpura Tiger Reserve.
(Source: http://www.freepressjournal.in/)