Buffer zone of Panna Tiger Reserve to be developed: Chouhan

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said the buffer zone of Panna Tiger Reserve will be developed soon and a notification in this regard will be issued after holding discussions with villagers to be relocated from there. Notifications for buffer zones of Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Satpura and Sanjay Tiger Reserves have already been issued, Chavan said while addressing the state Wildlife Board here yesterday, according to official release issued here. Congratulating staff of Panna National Park over successful tiger relocation, the chief minister directed to keep advance action plans ready for safety of tiger cubs. There was no tiger at Panna in 2009 after which four tigresses and a tiger were translocated there. At present, there are five adult tigers and 14 cubs in the National Park, the release said. Besides tiger, Madhya Pradesh has also rehabilitated 50 bisons in Bandhavgarh National Park, the release said. Stating that compensation against loss of life and cattle in attack by wild animals has been increased, Chouhan said the process has been brought under the ambit of Public Service Delivery Guarantee Act to ensure speedy payment. The government will give a compensation of Rs one lakh against loss of life due to wild animals, Rs 75,000 for permanent disability and Rs 20,000 for injury. Chouhan said wildlife is "grandeur of the state" and fund crunch will not be allowed to come in way of its conservation. It was informed at the meeting that the Central Zoo Authority and the Supreme Court have given permission for establishing a zoo and rescue centre at Mukundpur in Satna district and its construction will start soon. PTI