Increased tiger movement in 11 distts makes safe corridor must
| Date :14-Jan-2020 |
Staff Reporter :
After noticing increase in movement of tigers in eleven districts of State, the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department realised the need for developing safe corridors. The fresh report of Forest Department has proved that movement of tigers has increased rapidly in eleven districts. This also includes a few districts where there were no tigers a few years back. In such condition chances of territorial fight among tigers has been increased. It is the main reason behind tigers’ movement in other nearby states of India. As per tiger estimation 2018, there are 526 tigers in State. Population of tigers has increased in State as during year 2014 there were only 308 tigers.
Apart from conserved areas, tiger reserves like Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench have witnessed rise in population of tigers more than the capacity of reserves. Now, tigers are being witnessed in general forest circle and ranges. If we talk about the State capital Bhopal, there are around 18 tigers. Recently, Bhopal jungle has spotted four new tigers. Same situation appeared in Balaghat where around 40 tigers are present. Movement of tigers has been recorded in Indira Sagar and Omkareshwar Dam area. About two years back, there were no tigers in these areas.
About three years back, Forest Department released herd of cheetal in this area to develop the habitat. Wildlife expert A K Khare said that with rising population of tigers, there is need to provide safety and adequate space. He said it is right time to develop safe corridors between two conserved areas. He said that as rush is rising in jungle, animals are moving out so there is need to develop the corridors like jungle. This would help to avoid man-animal conflict.
Besides, water and food for animals should be available in corridors so that animals do not move out. Sources said that five tigers of Panna Tiger Reserve strayed out of conserved areas. One of these tigers was sighted in Mahoba area of Uttar Pradesh during November 2019. For past three years, tigers are being witnessed in Dewas district where earlier there were no tiger. Tiger movement has been recorded in districts like Panna, Khandwa, Chhatarpur, Damoh, Umaria, Chitrakoot, Maihar, Sarangpur, Satna, Rewa, Katni, Shahdol, Vyohari and Jabalpur.