CM's Tadoba visit raises hopes, lifts staff morale

By Vijay Pinjarkar, TNN | Dec 18, 2012, 06.57 AM IST NAGPUR: Sunday's visit of chief minister Prithviraj Chavan to Tadoba national park on Sunday, the first by a chief minister in many years, has elevated morale of wildlife wing officials and field staff. Insiders say it has shown political will on behalf of government to conservation issues. So far, even Maharashtra chief ministers and ministers used to visit Kanha and Pench in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh to see tigers thinking sighting in state forests was poor. However, Chavan proved that the Tadoba has made a major turnaround. "Chavan notified four wildlife sanctuaries, filled up all vacant posts and promoted officials. He did not just blindly sign the notifications but understood the need for these protected areas (PAs) for tigers. By appealing to save corridors, he has gone a step ahead. For years we have been crying for such political will," said Kishor Rithe, president of Satpuda Foundation. "Chief minister's visit has given a big boost to staff and wildlife wing officials. Regular sightings of tigers in Tadoba is the result of strong conservation measures undertaken in the past decade," claimed SWH Naqvi, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), Maharashtra. "It is very heartening to have the chief minister in Tadoba. Involvement of senior policymakers to check ground realities is an extremely positive step. We hope this will prioritize difficulties faced by the field staff and lacuna on the ground. It will certainly benefit wildlife," felt Poonam Dhanwatey, honorary district wildlife warden of Chandrapur. Chavan has displayed political will to protect tigers or at a time when wildlife as a sector was suffering neglect. Now his cabinet colleagues and MLAs should also follow suit and work for protecting wild animals. The chief minister should contain threats like Human dam that will cut the tiger corridor between Tadoba and Umred-Karhandla sanctuary, said Prafulla Bhamburkar, state in charge of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). The Vidarbha Economic Development Council (VED), which is fighting for tourism to get its due in the region, dubs it a big moment. "It will surely boost tiger tourism. Chavan seems to be sensitive towards wildlife and forests and wants to do something. At the same time he should not forget the fact that tiger tourism needs to be promoted else there would be no conservation," said Devendra Parekh, president of VED. Quotes Chavan notified four wildlife sanctuaries, filled up all vacant posts and promoted officials. By appealing to save corridors, he has gone a step ahead Kishor Rithe | president, Satpuda Foundation Chavan seems to be sensitive towards wildlife and forests... At the same time he should not forget the fact that tiger tourism needs to be promoted else there would be no conservation Devendra Parekh, president, VED CM's visit has given a big boost to staff and wildlife wing officials. Regular sightings of tigers in Tadoba is the result of strong conservation measures undertaken in the past decade http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/CMs-Tadoba-visit-raises-hopes-lifts-staff-morale/articleshow/17659598.cms