Staff Repporter, Bhopal The tiger state Madhya Pradesh, which was in the news after the Panna Tiger Reserve got the dubious distinction of becoming tiger-less some years back, is witnessing a constant increase in the big cat population even as the problem of poaching becomes graver.
Last week, Forest Department officials observed a tigress and her three cubs moving about in Ratapani Sanctuary about 15 km from this District headquarters. “A conducive environment, jungle and adequate food in the form of wildlife are present for tigers in Kaliasot and Kerwa Dam areas – adjoining the Sanctuary within Bhopal Circle – besides the Kathotiya and Samardha jungle areas,” the Circle’s Chief Forest Conservator SS Rajput told.
As per the 2010 Census, there were 17 tigers tigresses in the Sanctuary. In the last quarter of 2010, a tiger entered the vast forest area of Kaliasot and Kerwa Dam adjoining this City of Lakes. Some months later, a tigress suddenly made her home in the nearby Samardha jungle area. Two cubs were born in February 2011. Last year, the tiger was present for a while in the Bhadbhada urban area and Kerwa Dam area. After villagers spotted the tiger, the tigress and the cubs, the Department issued strict directives to its patrol teams to monitor the animals’ movement and maintain a vigil against poachers.
