Mumbai:
The Maharashtra chief minister has delivered on his promise made to the NDTV-Aircel Save Our Tigers campaign by extending the buffer zones around tiger reserves in the state.
Maharashtra has notified the buffer zones around Pench and Melghat which is a big step forward in securing the future of tigers in the state. This means that no commercial or industrial activities will be allowed in these areas created to separate the forests from the impact of civilisation.
The state government first got into the act in May this year when NDTV highlighted the massive impact of mines and industrial activities in the buffer zone of the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.
Here is what Chief Minister Ashok Chavan promised when we met him with our tiger agenda.
NDTV: Thank you so much for receiving us and for taking this tiger agenda. Item number one is notifying buffer zones around tiger reserves.
Chavan: Yes, we have already declared some buffer zones. Others are also in process.
NDTV: A couple of national highways (for instance NH 7) go through the Pench Tiger Reserve. This may cause a certain amount of disruption to the national park?
Chavan: Widening of roads will not be allowed in the forest areas. We will ensure that minimum whatever is required, we will take care of that. And where ever it is possible, we will realign the national highways.
This decision means that all three tiger reserves in Maharashtra are better protected which is a big step for a state that is home to over 100 tigers.