A Buffer zone for the famous Panna Tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh has hit a roadblock with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan saying he is not in favour of it, observing one cannot “destroy” Panna and just let the tigers “survive.”
“Humans are more valuable than tigers. One cannot destroy Panna and let just tigers survive. What will we do after creating such a buffer zone? And that’s why a buffer zone which hurts Panna will not be made,” Mr. Chauhan said at a public function on Sunday at the Panna Tiger reserve, about 200 km from here.
The Chief Minister’s remarks are expected to rankle tiger enthusiasts and environmentalists since Buffer zones are vital as they allow these felines more space to move freely and to avoid man-animal conflicts. In the last decade, Panna has lost 34 tigers, most of them being poached.
The Wildlife Act also makes a buffer zone mandatory for every Tiger reserve.
