**Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Chief Minister Mohan Yadav directs wildlife diversification efforts**
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has called on forest officers to bring in wild animals from Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha as a substitute for tigers being transferred out of Madhya Pradesh. Speaking at the 30th State Wildlife Board meeting held at the Mantralaya on Friday, he emphasized that this initiative would help increase the diversity of wild animals within the state.
Notably, Madhya Pradesh is set to transfer one tiger and nine tigresses to these three states. The CM also stressed serious efforts to acquire a one-horned rhino, commonly known as a rhino, from Assam.
In addition, CM Yadav highlighted the importance of releasing aquatic animals such as crocodiles, tortoises, gharials, and dolphins into the state’s rivers to enhance aquatic biodiversity.
**Promotion and awareness initiatives for Madhya Pradesh’s wildlife**
The Chief Minister underscored the need for proper branding and publicity for the state’s diverse flora and fauna. He urged officers to collaborate with agencies such as the Film Division, Discovery Channel, and other media outlets to produce short films, documentaries, and promotional capsules. These materials would showcase the unique wildlife of Madhya Pradesh to a global audience.
**Measures to curb human-elephant conflict**
Addressing concerns about conflicts between humans and elephants, the CM directed officials to devise effective strategies to prevent incidents involving tuskers. Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests L. Krishnamurthy informed the board about the development of an AI-based “Gaj Rakshak App.” This innovative app tracks elephant movements and disseminates alerts to nearby villages, helping to reduce man-animal conflicts.
**Sanctuary reconstitution and new conservation areas**
The Kharmor Sanctuary in Sardarpur has been reconstituted, providing a permanent resolution to issues related to the buying and selling of land in 14 revenue villages. Similarly, Jahangarh Sanctuary has also undergone reconstitution.
Dr. Alok Kumar, a member of the State Wildlife Board, mentioned the possibility of establishing an additional conservation area within the Panna and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve circle. There are also strong prospects of creating separate conservation zones by incorporating the Sonewani forest range of Balaghat district into the Kanha and Bandhavgarh tiger reserves.
**Approval of forest land projects**
During the meeting, the Chief Minister approved several forest land allocations for development projects. These include 17.148 hectares in the Satpura Melghat Corridor spanning Khandwa and Betul districts allotted to NHAI Khandwa. Additionally, 1.575 hectares of buffer zone land from the Padmashri Dr. Vishnu Shridhar Vakankar Tiger Reserve (formerly Ratapani Sanctuary) was approved for the Executive Engineer, PWD Raisen.
However, a proposal for constructing an ecological park on private land within the Sone Sanctuary in Sidhi was deferred for further consideration.
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This comprehensive approach aims to strengthen Madhya Pradesh’s wildlife conservation efforts, promote biodiversity, and enhance the state’s reputation as a leader in wildlife management.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/mp-news-state-wildlife-board-meeting-need-to-brand-publicise-mps-flora-fauna-says-cm-mohan-yadav
