Wildlife health centre proposed in MP

Bhopal, Jun 10 (UNI) A wildlife health and forensic centre is to be set up at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh with the Centre's cooperation.

A decision to seek the Centre's approval for the proposed health centre involving investment of Rs 3.79 crore was taken at a meeting of the State Wildlife Board presided over by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan here yesterday.

The Board's other recommendations include setting up of a wildlife sanctuary in Mathwar area of Jhabua district and the Forest department's examination of the proposal to declare Parsamaniya forest area on the border of Panna and Satna districts as conservation reserve, official sources said.

The meeting was informed the government was considering to set up a national park, two wildlife sanctuaries and two conservation reserves to compensate the submergence of forest area under Indira Sagar and Omkareshwar projects on the Narmada river in Khandwa and Dewas districts. Establishment of the sanctuary in Omkareshwar is in final stage.

The Board approved the proposals of Son Chiraiya sanctuary, construction of Charai Dang reservoir in Ghatigaon and laying of pipeline by the Gas Authority of India Limited in the river bed in Chambal sanctuary, besides recommending construction of a bridge across the Parvati river in the sanctuary.

The meeting favoured eco-tourism development in Rala Mandal area near Indore and agreed that in deference to the public sentiments permission should be obtained from the Centre for setting up the sanctuary at another place.

The board gave green signal for examination by all agencies concerned of the proposal for rationalisation of Karera sanctuary and endorsed the proposed widening of National Highway number 7 that passes through Pench Moghli sanctuary in Seoni district.

''The need of the hour is to make committed efforts to maintain tiger state status of Madhya Pradesh and to make necessary arrangements for protection of tigers in Panna sanctuary,'' Mr Chouhan said.

UNI SP AM KN1410