|
The Madhya Pradesh government will approach the Supreme Court for a review of its order banning tourism in core areas of tiger reserves as such a move can affect the livelihood of many, state chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said today. “This order will definitely have a substantial effect. Kanha, Badhavgarh and Pench are parks which are visited by not just Indian but foreign tousists, Mr Chouhan said.
"We are going to approach the Supreme Court and our request is that the Indian government should also support our cause," he added.
He also said that while saving tigers was important, there was no certainly that the national animal will be saved if tourism is completely banned.
"Most of the people who live in these areas are tribals who get employment because of the tourists. So, these people know that if the tigers are there, there would be employment. if we ban tourism totally, these people will be angry and unemployed, Mr Chouhan added.
The chief minister said due to spottings by tourists, there was more awareness about the presence of tigers.
"if we impose a total ban, who will watch them? In such a scenario, the threat against tigers will increase," he added. " if the tiger attacks some of their cattle, they `ll start wishing that it is no longer there. And then incidents like poisoning the water, which tigers drink, could happen,” he said.
A limited ban, which could ensure that tigers are not disturbed in its habitat, could be implemented. He said he had a meeting with the Union minister for environment and forests Jayanthi Natarajan in this regard.
Taking strong note of some states failing to implement its direction to conserve the big cat, the Supreme Court had on 24th July ordered that tourism be banned in core areas of tiger reserves across the country till further directions.
A Bench of Justices Mr Swatanker Kumar and Mr Ibra him Kalifulla warned of contempt proceddings and imposition of exemplary costs on states which fail to notify the buffer zones in their respective tiger reserves.
The apex court said several states had, despite its earlier directions of 4 April and 10 July, failed to notify the buffer zones in their respective reserves.
|