Madhya Pradesh: Wildlife Attacks Spark Demand To Declare Sonwani Region As Sensitive Area

Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh): PG Najpande, president of MP Citizen Consumer Guide Forum, has written to principal secretary, forest department, and urging immediate action to declare Sonwani region and surrounding areas in Balaghat district as a sensitive wildlife zone.

The appeal follows a fatal tiger attack on a farmer on Saturday, marking the second such death in four months.

In his letter dated May 4, Najpande highlighted the increasing intrusion of wild animals into residential areas located between Pench and Kanha wildlife corridors.

He expressed concern over the safety of villagers living near the Sonwani Wildlife Sanctuary where the presence of 50 tigers has been officially acknowledged. Despite this, the area has not yet been granted the official status of a wildlife sanctuary.

Najpande said repeated warnings to forest ministry had gone unheeded, and the failure to take preventive action had heightened fear among locals. He warned that if immediate measures were not implemented, including declaring the region sensitive and upgrading its protection status, legal action would follow.

This renewed demand underscores growing concerns over human-wildlife conflict and the urgent need for stronger conservation and safety measures in the region.