The State Government has shelved its plan to declare Bhoramdev Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve, Forest Minister Mahesh Gagda informed on Tuesday.

He was speaking at a Convention at Jhalmala Village Panchayat in Kabeerdham district.

The Minister said that the decision was taken in the interest of forest dwellers.

Gagda also said that no forest dweller would be displaced from any forest village in the name of Tiger Reserve at the Bhoramdev Sanctuary.

The Government is committed to bringing the Baiga tribals in the development mainstream. A number of government schemes have been launched for the welfare of the forest dwellers , he said.

Gagda said that the families of tendu patta colectors are being provided education scholarships for their children.

He said that all villages in the district would have power supply under Saubhagya scheme.

A decision had also been taken to open a college at Jhalmala, he said.

 Notably, the 10th meeting of the members of Chhattisgarh State Wildlife Board chaired by Chief Minister Raman Singh cleared the proposal for declaring Bhoramdev Sanctuary as ‘Tiger Reserve’  on November 14 last year.

 The meeting held at Chief Minister’s residence had also endorsed the proposal to earmark the proposed ‘Tiger Reserve’ as ‘Core’ and ‘Buffer’ regions.

 The proposal will be sent to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) , New Delhi for final approval, it was informed.

The proposed ‘Bhoramdev Tiger Reserve’ will be spread in an area of 624 square kms in which 318 sq kms will be ‘Core area’ and 305 sq kms will be ‘Buffer Area’, officials had informed.

The Bhoramdev Tiger Reserve when finally approved will be the 51st ‘Tiger Reserve’ in the country, they had informed.

Notably, five years ago, a proposal was sent to NTCA in this regard as there was tiger movement from Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh to Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary, officials informed.

A Tigress was spotted moving with three cubs and a tiger five years ago in Bhoramdeo wildlife sanctuary. So Forest department has sent a proposal to NTCA to declare it as Tiger Reserve.

Chief Minister Raman Singh had provided in-principle approval in a meeting of State Wildlife Board for formation of Tiger Reserve last year.

Two tigers , a tigress and cubs had been spotted in Bhoramdev Forest Reserve in March last year.

The Forest Department has installed trap camera for the monitoring of wild animal movements which proved presence of two cubs along with two tigers and a tigress in the reserve.

Bhoramdev Forest Reserve situated in between Kanha National Tiger Reserve and Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, has provided evidences of presence of wild life since three years of its formation.

The trap cameras installed across the forest region of Bhoramdev Forest Reserve has provided evidences of presence of tiger, tigress and cubs since last few years.

 State Forest Department will also carry out a comprehensive survey of migratory birds visiting the State.