Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh): MLA Anubha Munjare has urged the government to expedite the decision to convert the Sonwani Wildlife Experience Area into a sanctuary, highlighting increasing human-wildlife conflict in the region.
Addressing a press conference, she emphasized the need to consult local representatives, sarpanches, and citizens before finalizing the decision. Munjare warned that the delay in granting sanctuary status has led to wild animals, including tigers, venturing into nearby villages, creating an atmosphere of fear and resulting in attacks on villagers.
The Sonwani area, located in Lalbarra block under the Waraseoni-Katangi section, spans 16,000 square kilometers and is home to about 50 officially recorded tigers. Despite a proposal to declare it a sanctuary, political interference and mining interests have stalled progress.
Meanwhile, over 800 residents of villages like Sonwani, Chikhallabadi, and Navegaon primarily Baiga tribal’s remain without proper relocation or access to basic facilities. Munjare stressed that making Sonwani a sanctuary would promote conservation, tourism, and employment.
She cited the recent tiger attack on a child in Rajasthan's Ranthambore to underline the urgency. With tourists regularly visiting the area and children forced to travel through forests for school, safety concerns are mounting. The MLA called for apolitical action to safeguard wildlife and villagers, urging immediate relocation plans and sanctuary status to prevent further tragedies.
