Ban on Tourism in tiger reserve hit MP badly : CM
New Delhi : Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan called on Union Environment and Forest Minister Smt. Jayanti Natrajan in New Delhi today and urged her to file a writ in the court for lifting ban on tourism in tiger reserves.
It may be mentioned that as per directives of the Supreme Court, tourism has been banned in reserves and National Parks of Madhya Pradesh. In this connection, Shri Chouhan informed the Union Minister that the ban has adversely affected livelihoods of a large number of local residents and people linked with tourism.
Shri Chouhan said that the Central Government should take appropriate initiative in the Supreme Court in this connection. He informed that besides wildlife conservation, livelihoods of local people is also necessary. Ban on tourism may also pose dangers for the wildlife as well as forests in these areas. Tourism activities will cause no harm to wildlife and forests. Shri Chouhan also urged the Minister for early sanction to proposals regarding energy and irrigation projects in forest areas. He informed that in-principle consent has been given in most of the cases. Shri Chouhan informed that residents of 108 out of 831 villages in core areas of forests have agreed to shift elsewhere.
Shri Chouhan also urged the Central Government to make available expected funds for rehabilitation of these families.
Chief Secretary Shri R. Parasuram, Principal Secretary Forests Shri Devraj Virdi and officers of Union Forest Ministry were present on the occasion.
