In a bizarre suggestion, a senior Madhya Pradesh minister has sought a law that allows people to domesticate or keep as pets big cats like lions and tigers for their conservation.
Animal Husbandry, Horticulture and Food Processing Minister Kusum Mehdele, in a proposal sent to the state's forest department, has cited legal provisions in some African and South-East Asian countries like Thailand which have helped bring about an increase in the population of the big cats.
Noting that there are various projects in the country for conservation of tigers, the minister, however, said that although crores of rupees have been spent on these projects, there has been no surprising increase in tiger numbers.
If such a possibility can be thought over, then necessary action should be undertaken and guidelines passed on, she said in the proposal sent to state Forest Minister Gaurishankar Shejwar in September last year.
"Kindly give your suggestion or comments in this regard so that the minister can be informed about it," Mr Kumar said in the letter.
Ms Mehdele could not be contacted for comments despited repeated attempts by PTI.
Six tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh - Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Panna, Bori-Satpura, Sanjay-Dubri and Pench - have as many as 257 big cats.
Tiger Attacks 5 After Escaping From Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve Madhya Pradesh Panels For Tribal Welfare, Eco-Conservation Hit Funds Wall Another Dead Tiger In Madhya Pradesh, With Four Likely Bullets Wounds In Skull Rahul Gandhi's Seat At Red Fort Triggers Fresh Congress Attack On BJP 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing "Pivotal Moment": Key Doctor Body Resumes Strike 2 Days After Calling It Off Leaders React To NDTV Story Which Led To Probe Into Man's Dissappreance "Education No More Affordable:" Bengaluru Man Reacts To Rs 3.7 Lakh LKG Fee Woman Shares Series Of Harassment Incidents On Delhi-NCR Streets Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.