“Tiger State” Madhya Pradesh now ready to embrace lions

Bhopal : While Madhya Pradesh has not only got the distinction of being a tiger state in the country in the last one year once again, but 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. In order 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 meters of timber, 1.62 lakh cubic meters 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 first in country with 526 tigers

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 7900 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. 2500 per standard bag instead of Rs 2000. An amount Rs. 3289.80 lakh which is 15 percent of the Tendu Patta incentive amount was spent on infrastructure development and Rs. 2365.60 lakh was spent on forest and capacity development.

Under the Eklavya Education Scheme, scholarship of around Rs 5 crores was distributed among 4774 students. Saplings were planted on 2182 hectares under the Outdoor Conservation Scheme. Under the Skill Development Scheme, 1100 families of tendu patta pluckers were imparted motor driving training at a cost of Rs 225 lakh 50 thousand. An amount of around Rs. 2 crore was sanctioned in 483 cases under the Chief Minister’s Tendu Patta Pluckers’ Welfare Assistance Scheme.

Forest committees to provide shelter to 7800 Bovine

As many as 78 gaushalas are being opened for stray cattle through forest committees in which 7800 gauvansh will be given shelter in each gaushala. Forest Department is the first in the state to implement e-office system. Maps have been prepared using the basic chart of forest blocks and the Khasra wise data of the revenue department available using GIS technique. Rs 25.82 lakh has been disbursed under plantation incentive scheme on private land, about Rs 10 crore 90 lakhs under National Bamboo Mission and Rs 13 crore have been distributed under Green India Mission. With the amendment in the process of GIS saw machine transfer of name -transfer of place, now the sale / succession etc. can be done with the approval of SLC itself.

A nursery management system has been developed for the arrangement of sale of saplings to the general public through MP online. Forest conservation schemes have been made keeping the livelihood of forest dwellers in mind. The scheme has been prepared with the participation of forest committees through improvement and plantation of degraded bamboo forests. A scheme is being implemented for the improvement of 2 lakh 50 thousand hectare degraded bamboo forests and advanced bamboo plantation in 50 thousand hectares in coordination with the Forest and Rural Development Department. Betel growing families have been included in the Nistar Policy. Certificates have been given to the villagers displaced from wildlife protected areas to get benefit of various government schemes. All the basic facilities have been provided to them while ensuring participation of women in the nursery. More than 3 crore 34 lakh saplings were planted during the rainy season.

Forest Development Corporation

More than 96 thousand saplings have been planted in 82 kilometers of National Highways by the Forest Development Corporation. About 4 lakh saplings have been planted in 222 hectare forest area under CSR head of Havells India. Plantation of Rudraksh in Amarkantak and Sheesham in Jhabua forest division is in progress. Development work is in progress in Dhar and Neemuch for the conservation and promotion of the endangered bird Kharmor. Best quality bamboo and plants of endangered species are being developed in the tissue culture laboratory of Indore. Experiments have also been started on Sagoun. As many as 8.55 crore different species of plants have been developed in departmental plantations for plantation in the year 2019. About 40 lakh saplings have been sold in non-forest areas. More than one crore 73 lakh saplings were planted in 96 lakh 64 thousand hectare by the Corporation. The Corporation is providing about 40 lakh man-days of employment every year.

The National Bamboo Mission approved a plan of Rs 4541.87 lakh In the year 2019-20. It has a 3:2 ratio of centre and state share. Two high-tech and four small bamboo plantations have been set up in the private sector for high quality bamboo plantation. As many as 12 bamboo setups have been established for field trials of various bamboo species in all the 11 agro climatic zones of the state. Bamboo plantation has been undertaken in 1114.50 hectares of agricultural area. The work of setting up 46 units in private sector and 33 bamboo based micro, small and medium units is in progress in major bamboo clusters of the state. Traditional 156 artisans were sent for designing and manufacturing of new bamboo products and 52 artisans have been sent for training to Agartala. CFC was strengthened to make manufacturing and marketing of bamboo products easier.

Bio-diversity Board

About 500 farmers, committee members and collectors of Mandla, Betul, Chhindwara were imparted training by the Bio-diversity Board in the field of bio diversity conservation on conservation of forest produce. One crore 10 lakh seedballs were produced with public participation. 70 lakh saplings of rare species were produced in the plantations. This year, 60 thousand quintal vermi compost was prepared. The production of Jeevamrit and Neem cake is also being done in the plantations. The plantations are being developed as eco-tourism spot at major sites and awareness is being created about tree plantation among the people.

Highest amount of Rs 450 crore approved in CAMPA so far

This is the first time in this period that with continuous efforts, the approval of any APO of CAMPA state was issued by the Government of India in the first quarter of the same financial year. The approved APO will have works worth Rs 450 crore. This is the highest amount approved so far. Women are being imparted employment-oriented training in mushroom cultivation, sewing, sanitary pad manufacturing, biogas digester, incense stick manufacturing, computer, driving, electricity repair work etc. under Green India Mission.