MP CM calls for promotion and branding of state’s floral and faunal diversity

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav stressed on Friday that the state’s rich floral and faunal diversity should be effectively promoted and branded, and the richness of the state’s forests and the easy visibility of wildlife within them should be widely publicised.

Addressing the 30th meeting of the Madhya Pradesh State Wildlife Board at the State Secretariat in Bhopal, the CM instructed that short films, documentaries and promotional capsules should be prepared in collaboration with the Films Division of India, Discovery and other channels to present Madhya Pradesh’s forest specialties to the world. He emphasised that the state’s strengths must be showcased globally.

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CM Dr Yadav also suggested that while Madhya Pradesh should provide other states with wild animals, it should also receive species from them in return to further enhance the state’s biodiversity. He specifically mentioned efforts to bring the Indian Rhinoceros (one-horned Rhino) from Assam. He also directed preparations for releasing aquatic animals, turtles, gharials and dolphins into the state’s rivers.

An in-depth discussion took place to transfer three pairs of tigers to Odisha, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh. Chief Minister Dr Yadav emphasised that, while tigers will be sent to these states, Madhya Pradesh should also receive wild animal species from them in exchange to further enrich the state’s biodiversity.

Chief Minister Dr Yadav instructed authorities to adopt concrete measures to prevent human-animal conflicts caused by wild elephants.

Forest Department officials informed the meeting that an AI-based ‘Gajarakshak’ App has been developed to track elephant movements and notify villagers through SMS when elephants approach human settlements. Radio collaring is also being used, and ‘Elephant Friend Groups’ are being formed in affected districts and forest divisions.

Chief Minister Dr Yadav approved several proposals during the meeting. Under these, 17.148 hectares of forest land in the Satpura-Melghat corridor of Khandwa and Betul districts were permitted for use by NHAI Khandwa. Additionally, 0.85 hectares of sanctuary forest land under Singhori Sanctuary were allocated for the construction of a CC road from Dehgaon-Bamhori village to Belgaon, to be utilized by EE RES Raisen.

Furthermore, 1.575 hectares of buffer zone land in the Padma Shri Dr. Vishnu Shridhar Wakankar Tiger Reserve (Rata Pani Sanctuary) was granted to EE PWD Raisen for use. Approvals were also given for construction work and other uses in forest land areas as part of additional proposals.