Approximately 6,017 hectares of land within the bounds of the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh face submergence due to the expansive Ken-Betwa river link project.
Efforts are underway to secure an equivalent land area and have it officially designated for compensation.
During a recent visit to Panna, HS Mohanta, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Land Record), assessed the progress towards acquiring replacement land for submergence.
Compensatory land to be developed into forested areas
Commissioner Sagar chaired a meeting in this regard. He said once the compensatory land is officially designated, the tiger reserve authorities plan to develop it into forested areas. The cultivation of fruit trees is planned to provide essential sustenance for wildlife and birds, while water bodies will also be established within the compensatory land.
Anjana Shuchita, the Field Director of the Panna Tiger Reserve, informed media that the compensatory land would be sourced from revenue areas spanning Chhatarpur, Panna, and Damoh districts. Presently, data for approximately 4,500 hectares of land has been acquired by tiger reserve authorities, with the notification process ongoing.
Doubts regarding govt's commitment
However, wildlife activist Ajay Dubey noted that when the Omkareshwar and Indira Sagar projects were initiated in the Narmada basin, the state government pledged to establish one national park and two sanctuaries. However, despite the passing of several years, no official notification has been issued. Consequently, there are doubts regarding the government's commitment to compensating for land affected by the Ken-Betwa project's submergence area.
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