Rampant poaching by villagers, who continue to live inside wildlife sanctuaries and the forested areas surrounding the tiger reserves, is threatening wildlife at an alarming level in Madhya Pradesh.
The situation has become so serious that on Tuesday, the Panna Tiger Reserve field director was compelled to issue a public statement urging the villagers and others, who kill wild animals as a tradition or for personal entertainment, to desist from such practices. They have been advised to stay on the right side of the law and cooperate.