Sanjay Tiger Reserve revival plan on cards

  • 02/08/2010

  • Pioneer (New Delhi)

Panna-like tiger revival plan is on the cards in Sanjay Tiger Reserve, situated in Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh. The State Forest Department is right now seeking the help of the private sector in developing basic infrastructure for attracting tourists to this reserve. In undivided Madhya Pradesh, Sanjay Tiger Reserve had witnessed highest tiger population of 36 in 1992, according to State forest department census. After Madhya Pradesh was divided in 2000, a large part of the then Sanjay National Park went to Chhattisgarh, said a senior forest official. Chhattisgarh Government renamed this forest area falling under its jurisdiction as Guru Ghasidas National Park in an area of 1,500 sq km. According to an official census of Madhya Pradesh carried out in 2004, Sanjay Tiger Reserve, spread over in more than 800 sq km in Sidhi district, had six big cats, but no tiger was sighted there between October 2008 and May 2009. However, the efforts are on to boost tourism activities in this park. Recently, State Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) HS Pabla accompanied by some private players interested in tourism activities visited this district.