The Union minister of state for environment and forest, Jairam Ramesh on Saturday shot a letter to the Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to stop involving tourists in patrolling of protected areas and tiger reserves.
In his letter, Mr Ramesh has focused attention on the advisory issued in this context by the Chief Wildlife Warden, which directs the Field Directors of Tiger Reserves said directors of National Parks/Wildlife Sanctuaries to register tourism and permit their entry in the wildlife habitat, besides facilitating their stay in patrolling camps. Further, it has also been suggested that temporary rooms with the local available material may also be used for providing accommodation to tourists.
A proposal from the field director, Kanha for constructing double storied ramps in this regard has also been indicated in the said advisory. Mr Ramesh has told the Madhya Pradesh chief minister that this advisory goes against the spirit and provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 to keep the core areas and habitat inviolate for tiger and wild animals.