MP Govt Stalls Shifting Of Tigers To Satkosia After ‘Threats’ From Villagers

Bhubaneswar: Madhya Pradesh (MP) government has put on hold shifting of tigers to Satkosia Tiger Reserve following threats from villagers, residing in its periphery.

Notably, thousands of villagers from Jagannathpur, Purunakote, Tikarpada, Matiasahi, Manikjodi and Balang panchayats had gheraoed Angul collector office, demanding security alleging threat to their lives and livestock, a couple of days ago.

The villagers have reportedly threatened to kill the tigers if they are released into the wild.

“Odisha is not a safe location to shift tigers. There are more than 25 villages inside and around the protected areas. Tigers would not be safe until the villagers are shifted from there. Chances of conflicts are very high,” said Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey.

A pair of tigers were brought to Satkosia Tiger Reserve last month. Four more were to be translocated in a phased manner and the third one was to be brought from Kanha National Park.

Chief Wildlife Warden of Madhya Pradesh Shahbaz Ahmad told to a national daily, “Translocation of the remaining tigers depends on response of the two that have already been sent to Odisha.”

Meanwhile, the tiger from Kanha National park has been shifted to Sanjay Dubri National Park in Sindhi district of MP.