Wildlife and Rights activist from the State capital, Ajay Dubey ahead of Madhya Pradesh State Wildlife Board’s (MPSWlB) meeting on Tuesday, in a letter to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan appealed for wildlife management and conservation in the state.
Dubey in his letter to the chief minister Chouhan on Monday said, “I have come to know that MPSWlB is holding its meeting, which to be presided by you in Bhopal on Tuesday. I will take this opportunity to present certain points for your positive consideration and effective implementation.”
Dubey further said that he especially sought his attention to show courage to bring lions from Gujarat as per Supreme Court orders, to make arrangements for the security of the tigers moving in and around Bhopal, expedite the approval of Ratapani sanctuary as Tiger Reserve, to shift the firing range that is near to the Van Vihar Bhopal, to schedule the Omkareshwar National Park, to constitute wildlife doctors cadre and immediately constitute Tiger Protection Force in the state.
He said, “We have come to know that P laad (retd PCCF) has resigned from the membership of the MPSWlB so kindly reconstitute the Board by adopting fair selection process and appoint persons of high integrity and immense knowledge like MK Ranjit Singh as its non Government members.”
“We strongly oppose Ken Betwa link Project in Bundelkhand region which will submerge more than 40 per cent land of Panna Tiger Reserve. This tiger reserve has been symbol of successful reintroduction and resurrection of tigers after the extinction. Kindly invite public opinion for the alternate irrigation plan,” jhe added.
Dubey, Secretary of Prayatna environmental action group said the MP Eco Tourism Board has decided to start a tiger safari in the buffer zones of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR), Pench Tiger Reserve and Kanha Tiger Reserve. They have already started construction activities in BTR worth of crores of rupees and by violating prevailing Acts and without getting approval from the NTCA. the NTCA has deferred the proposal of Tiger Safari in Pench Tiger Reserve on February 4, 2015 but the committee of senior officers of Forest Department and MP Eco Tourism Board has decided to start the above-mentioned activity on May 30, 2015 which is not only a serious matter of corruption as well as mindless wildlife management, please conduct fair inquiry into the matter.
He said there are several more issues to be presented but these are supposed to be very vital.