State gets 3 weeks’ time to reply on proposal seeking Tiger Reserve status for Bhoramdev
   Date :01-May-2019

 
 
Staff Reporter;
 
RAIPUR:
 
 
Chhattisgarh Government has got three weeks to reply on National Tiger Conservation Authority’s (NTCA) proposal for declaration of Bhoramdev Sanctuary as the Tiger Reserve. NTCA submitted the reply to Chhattisgarh High Court acting Chief Judge P P Sahu, who was hearing the PIL filed by environment conservationist Nitin Singhvi on Tuesday. NTCA responded, saying the Bhoramdev Sanctuary abuts the Kanha National Park and also borders with Navegaon, Nagzira Tiger Reserve, which is a tiger corridor of Tadoba /Andheri Tiger Reserve and Indrawati Tiger Reserve. Hence, Bhoramdev is inseparable part of the Pench-Kanha Achanakmar forests. Considering the significance of the Bhoramdev, NTCA, through a letter dated July 28, 2014, had asked Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) to notify the sanctuary as the Bhoramdev Tiger Reserve.
 
The Plaintiff, however, had averred the NTCA, on June 1, 2018, that Chhattisgarh Government has annulled the proposal for Tiger Reserve status to Bhoramdev Sanctuary. In reply, NTCA had, on June 7, 2019, again wrote to CWLW for taking necessary steps for declaring the sanctuary a Tiger Reserve and send the proposal, but the letter went unanswered.
 
But, now Chhattisgarh Government has asked for 3 weeks to file reply. On the query of benefits of tiger reserve to the tribal people, Singhvi stated besides the conservation of tiger and other wildlife, displaced villagers will get 5 acres of land, Rs 50000 in cash, a house and basic amenities such as roads, schools, electricity, irrigation, toilets, drinking water and community buildings as a part of compensation package with each such package values about Rs 10 lakhs. It will uplift the living standards of the tribal people.