MP makes concerted effort towards forest-wildlife conservation

Monday, 30 December 2019 | Staff Reporter | Bhopal
Madhya Pradesh got the distinction of being a tiger State in the country last  year. Apart from this, it has also started continuous efforts towards forest-wildlife conservation and upliftment of forest dwellers, along with dealing with global climate change and global warming.
To save the remaining Asiatic Lions in Gir forests of Gujarat from extinction, the State Government has left no stone unturned regarding shifting of few lions from the Gir forests of Gujarat to Kuno National Park as per the Supreme Court directions. There has been abundant production of forest produce in the State this year compared to last year.
This year 2.73 lakh cubic metres of timber, 1.62 lakh cubic metres of firewood and 34 thousand notional tons of bamboo have been produced, which is 56 percent more in timber, 30 percent more in firewood and 26 percent more in bamboo compared to last year.
Madhya Pradesh again ranks first in the country with 526 tigers as per the results of the All India Tiger Assessment declared on July 29, 2019. In the year 2014 Census, there were an estimated 306 tigers. Three tiger reserves of the State — Pench, Kanha and Satpura have been ranked in the first three positions in managerial efficiency in the country.
Satpura Tiger Reserve has been awarded the “Most Tourist Friendly National Park” by Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board for facilities and services at tourist destinations.
Laying emphasis on forest tourism, a committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister to review the implementation of wildlife related decisions.
In the vulture census conducted for the second time in the State on January 12, 2019, about 7,900 vultures have been found in 33 districts of the State.
The Tiger Strike Force has succeeded in arresting national and international criminals involved in wildlife crime.
In the collection year 2019, cash payment of wages was made to tendu leaf pluckers at an increased rate of Rs 2,500 per standard bag instead of Rs 2,000. An amount Rs 3,289.80 lakh which is 15 percent of the Tendu Patta incentive amount was spent on infrastructure development and Rs 2,365.60 lakh was spent on forest and capacity development.
Under the Eklavya Education Scheme, scholarship of around Rs 5 crore was distributed among 4,774 students. Saplings were planted on 2,182 hectares under the Outdoor Conservation Scheme. Under the Skill Development Scheme, 1,100 families of tendu patta pluckers were imparted motor driving training at a cost of Rs  2,25.50 lakh.
An amount of around Rs 2 crore was sanctioned in 483 cases under the Chief Minister’s Tendu Patta Pluckers’ Welfare Assistance Scheme.
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2019/state-editions/mp-makes-concerted-effort-towards-forest-wildlife-conservation.html