CM Mohan Yadav officially inaugurated the newly established Madhav Tiger Reserve in Shivpuri on Monday, marking it as Madhya Pradesh’s 9th and the nation’s 58th tiger reserve. As part of the event, Dr. Yadav released a tigress into the reserve’s open habitat, symbolizing the reintroduction of tigers in the Chambal region. Calling the moment historic, he credited the conservation efforts led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for securing this milestone and expressed gratitude for the central government’s support. He also unveiled the reserve’s official logo and inaugurated its boundary wall.
A Unique Coexistence of Wildlife and Humans in Chambal
CM Mohan Yadav emphasized the state government’s commitment to boosting wildlife tourism in the Chambal region. With cheetahs in Kuno, gharials in the Chambal River, and now tigers in Madhav National Park, the area is set to become a major eco-tourism destination. Chambal stands out as a rare example of harmonious coexistence between wildlife and humans. These conservation efforts will enhance tourism, generate employment opportunities, and drive development in the Gwalior-Chambal region.
Tigers Return to Chambal
Highlighting Madhya Pradesh’s status as the “Tiger State” with the highest number of tigers globally,CM Mohan Yadav noted that the Chambal region was the last remaining area in the state without tiger presence—a gap now filled with the reintroduction efforts. On the birth anniversary of Late Madhavrao Scindia, this inauguration represents a significant step toward holistic wildlife conservation and tourism development. Madhav Tiger Reserve, already home to bears, leopards, deer, chinkaras, wolves, jackals, porcupines, pythons, and vultures, will now gain recognition for tiger rehabilitation as well.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to conservation, CM Mohan Yadav assured that the reserve is an open natural habitat, not a zoo, ensuring ecological balance. Alongside the reserve’s inauguration, the official logo and boundary wall of Madhav National Park were also unveiled.
Strong Prospects for Wildlife Tourism: Union Minister Scindia
Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia expressed gratitude to CM Mohan Yadav for gifting the Madhav Tiger Reserve to the Gwalior-Chambal region. He noted that after Panna Tiger Reserve, this is the third national park in Madhya Pradesh to be revived, significantly boosting wildlife tourism potential.
He highlighted that, under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, cheetahs were successfully reintroduced into Kuno National Park, and on March 10, 2023, three tigers were also released into Madhav National Park. With a combined area of over 3,000 square kilometers, the Kuno-Madhav reserves will play a crucial role in India’s wildlife conservation efforts.
Assuring full support for Madhav Tiger Reserve’s development, Union Minister Scindia reaffirmed the state’s dedication to wildlife protection and tourism expansion. The event was attended by Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Energy Minister Shri Pradyumn Singh Tomar, Minister of State for Forests Shri Dilip Singh Ahirwar, and several other public representatives.