In a novel initiative to promote tiger tourism and help sighting of big cats, Madhya Pradesh has proposed to Environment Ministry for installation of cameras in tiger dens. One of the major tiger States of the country, Madhya Pradesh has about 257 big cats spread over its six reserves. This is expected to be carried out through public private participation.
According to sources in Environment Ministry, Madhya Pradesh Government has made presentation before the former, suggesting that installation of cameras at strategic points in the reserves will enable the tourists to take a closer look at the tigers and their ways of life in the wild from close quarters. There are six tiger reserves in MP viz. Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Panna, Bori-Satpura, Sanjay-Dubri and Pench.
As a part of the initiative, the restaurants/resorts in the reserves can have flat screen monitors showing live scenes of tigers in the habitat. There can be for instance cameras over probable spots as favourite water holes frequented by the tigers that are also used by general prey species. Such initiatives can boost tiger tourism as realtime sighting of tigers by tourists may not always be possible.
“There can be even cameras built into the tiger dens that are specifically provided for the tigers so that guests can witness the activities inside the den while having their lunch or refreshments,” said the presentation. It further said that the state government proposed that the wildlife experience in the habitat can be initially at the same price or even a few rupees more expensive than current tiger reserve fees.
Specifying participation of private parties, the proposal of state government pointed out that tourism activities as guided vehicular excursions, natural treks and film shows can be organised by them inside these protected areas.
Once these parks are up and running, the revenue generated can be used for restoration of degraded forests, corridors and improvement of habitat conditions. As per the proposal, this will not only allow dispersion of tigers but also enable distribution of other species as well.
According to sources in the ministry, the proposal is being reviewed and the state government has been asked to undertake further consultations for assessing the feasibility of the proposed project as a whole.
This also includes an initial pilot proposal for small safari park and working out its financial feasibility. . While Further a policy proposal has also been sought with specifics so that it can be examined in the longer legal and policy context of the sector.
By developing It has proposed to create secure habitat for dispersal of tiger and to develop eco-tourism in degraded forest land through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models and to have restaurants and picnic areas inside them.