MP had the highest number of tigers in India, at about 300 according to the last estimation. The population has seen a sharp decline since then, with tigers being wiped out from Panna. M.P. nevertheless, has the potential to hold a significantly larger number. Towards this end, at the very least, the following steps are required to be taken within a period of three years:
- Resettle villages from the core of Kanha and Satpura Tiger Reserves.
- Halt widening of the NH7 highway, which cuts through the Kanha-Pench corridor. The best option will be to re-direct it from outside Pench.
- The Kanha-Pench landscape corridor hosts between 100-120 tigers at present. Improve the forest cover along the Kanha-Pench corridor to
enable easy movement of wildlife and also to improve the carrying capacity of the entire landscape. With adequate protection just the Pench-Kanha landscape (20,000) could house close to 250 tigers.
- Accountability of officers, as in the case of Panna, Bandhavgarh (death of tigress by vehicle) and Pench (burning of a tiger cub carcass) incidents.
- A qualified Resettlement Officer should be appointed by the State Government dedicated to the task of voluntary shifting of villages.
- Tourism in tiger reserves should be handled by a dedicated ACF-level ‘tourism officer’ and not by ACF or RFO from the wildlife wing whose responsibility is and should be protection.
- Stop airstrip work near Suktara village near Pench Tiger Reserve (MP)
- NTCA and Madhya Pradesh states should declare Tiger Corridors publicly sothat all other agencies should stop considering any new projects in the area.
- Issue final notifications of all the PAs which have been part of Tiger Reserves and notify proposed PAs in corridor on priority basis.( Rukhard in MP)
- Set up Special Tiger Protection Force