Madhya Pradesh: What is 'One Person, One Leaf' Campaign CM Mohan Yadav Participated in and what does this initiative symbolise?
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav addressed State-level International Tiger Day Programme in Bhopal on Wednesday. On this occasion he released teaser films on reintroduction of barasingha in Satpura Tiger Reserve and tiger rewilding in Kanha Tiger Reserve.
CM felicitated Padma Shri awardees Dr. Narayan Vyas and Mohan Nagar, who are members of the State Wildlife Board. He also honoured Forest Protection Committees, Eco Development Committees, Village Forest Committees and forest personnel for their outstanding contribution to wildlife conservation.
Dr. Yadav participated in the "One Person, One Leaf, Public Participation, Strength of Conservation" campaign launched by Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve to promote community participation.
As part of the campaign, he painted the face of a tiger on a leaf-shaped clay ceramic tile. These tiles will be fired, coloured and used to decorate the Hinoti Tourism Gate of Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve. The initiative symbolises collective commitment to forest and wildlife conservation through public participation. Artists from Pench Tiger Reserve also presented the Chief Minister with an embroidered shawl.
State Receives 28 Lakh Wildlife Tourists Annually
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Samita Rajoura said International Tiger Day has been observed every year on July 29 since 2011 following a global commitment made in St. Petersburg, Russia. She said Madhya Pradesh has made a significant contribution to tiger conservation and the state government is committed to protecting all wildlife species.
She said nearly 28 lakh wildlife tourists visit Madhya Pradesh every year, including around one lakh foreign visitors. Various conservation activities are currently being carried out across all nine tiger reserves in the state. She also acknowledged the contribution of forest committees and local communities to the tiger conservation campaign. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, she said, Madhya Pradesh is conserving not only tigers but all forms of wildlife. "If tigers survive, our forests will survive," she said.