Team News Riveting
Bhopal, July 29
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav Monday said that they were fortunate to have the maximum number of tigers in the country in Madhya Pradesh.
Congratulating tiger lovers on International Tiger Day, Yadav said Bhopal was the only capital in the country whose tigers roam freely around its municipal limits. It is a matter of pride that the Cheetah project is also active in the state, whereas Cheetah is not found anywhere in the whole of Asia.
Keeping in view the balance of the ecosystem, the state government will continue to encourage the co-existence of different wild animals in different areas of the state. New tiger reserves will be developed in the areas of the state where there are no tigers. The tiger is the national animal, hence for the survival of the tiger in all the states, Madhya Pradesh will provide tigers to other states also.
The Chief Minister was addressing a state-level program at Kushabhau Thackeray Auditorium on International Tiger Day. He inaugurated the program by lighting the lamp.
He inaugurated an exhibition on the International Tiger Day and also inspected it. The Chief Minister also released three books of the Forest Department on Voluntary Village Relocation: “The Satpura Model”, “Pench Tiger Behavior Activities Kit-3” and “Kanha Ki Kahaniyan” respectively. Short films focusing on Tiger Warriors, Pench Land of Tiger, and Bison restoration were also screened on the occasion.
The Chief Minister also honoured forest workers and officers for their excellent work for the conservation of forests and wild animals. On this occasion, Forest Minister Ramniwas Rawat, Minister of State for Forests Dilip Ahirwar, Minister of State for Backward Classes and Minority Welfare (Independent Charge) Smt. Krishna Gaur was especially present.
Yadav said that while the Cheetah Project is in progress in the state, activities are also going on to settle the cheetahs in the Gandhi Sagar area. He said that due to the conservation of wild animals and better management of the Tiger Reserve, the number of tourists is also increasing continuously. There are 7 tiger reserves present in the state. Forests generate revenue of about Rs 60 crore and more than 25 lakh tourists visit the state.
The ongoing efforts for forest and wildlife conservation under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will help in strengthening the ecosystem and local economy. He said that it is necessary to start efforts for the restoration of wild animals that have become extinct with time and also for the conservation of various species of snakes.
The Chief Minister also honoured officers and forest employees for their excellent work for the conservation of forests and wild animals.
