In a significant step towards conservation and economic development, the Chhattisgarh government has announced the establishment of a new tiger reserve encompassing the Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary.
The decision, aimed at promoting eco-tourism and creating employment opportunities, marks the creation of the state’s fourth tiger reserve.
The declaration was made during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai at his official residence. The new reserve will span 2,829.387 square kilometers, making it the country’s third-largest tiger reserve.
It will trail only Andhra Pradesh’s Nagarjunasagar Srisailam and Assam’s Manas tiger reserves in size.
The announcement follows the in-principle approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in 2014. Despite this approval, the project had faced delays.
However, the state’s Forest and Climate Change Department has now been authorized to take further action to finalize the reserve's establishment.
The new Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve will incorporate areas from several districts including Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Korea, Surajpur, and Balrampur.
This initiative is expected to stimulate eco-tourism and generate livelihood opportunities for the local communities living in the core and buffer zones of the reserve.
An official statement highlighted that additional funding from the national tiger project will be allocated to support new development projects in these regions. This aligns with the broader goal of sustainable development through wildlife conservation.
The move comes in response to a public interest litigation filed by Madhya Pradesh-based wildlife activist Ajay Dubey. Dubey had raised concerns about the state's inaction despite the NTCA’s approval in 2014. Following his PIL, the Chhattisgarh High Court had urged the state government to clarify its position on the reserve’s declaration.
The establishment of the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla reserve is anticipated to preserve the natural habitat of tigers and ensure their safety. It is strategically positioned to act as a corridor between Bandhavgarh in Madhya Pradesh and Palamu in Jharkhand, further enhancing regional biodiversity conservation efforts.
The Guru Ghasidas National Park had previously been declared a tiger reserve during an earlier Congress administration but had not been officially notified. Delays were reportedly due to the region's coal and methane gas reserves, which posed conflicting interests.
The cabinet’s decision aligns with recommendations from the State Wildlife Board and the NTCA’s consent. This initiative represents a crucial step towards balancing ecological preservation with socio-economic development.
Union Ministry of Forest and Climate Change’s endorsement further bolsters the state’s commitment to wildlife conservation.
As Chhattisgarh prepares to usher in this new era of wildlife conservation, the broader implications for tourism and employment are immense.
The state's focus on eco-tourism is poised to attract national and international tourists, fostering a deeper connection with nature while providing tangible benefits to local communities.
The establishment of the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve not only marks a milestone in Chhattisgarh’s conservation efforts but also sets a precedent for other states to follow.
The integration of conservation and development policies underscores the potential for synergistic growth, ensuring that natural heritage is preserved for future generations.
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