A 700 km-long wildlife corridor, the largest in North-Central India, will soon be developed, connecting Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur to Sagar in Madhya Pradesh. This corridor will be formed following the inauguration of the proposed Dr. Ambedkar Wildlife Sanctuary in Sagar district, boosting wildlife tourism in the region.
Currently, the 483 km stretch from Sheopur to Panna is the only area where cheetahs, leopards, and tigers coexist. This corridor will also be a part of the proposed National Tourist Circuit linking Jaipur to Khajuraho. After amendments to the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Wildlife Project, which had been pending for six years, the sanctuary is set to be inaugurated by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav on April 14.
Impact on Local Villages and Wildlife Conservation
The sanctuary, spanning 258.640 sq km between Khurai and Maddeora (Chhatarpur), will affect 88 villages. Additionally, it will compensate for 4,400 hectares of land lost from Panna Tiger Reserve due to the Ken-Betwa River Link Project, benefiting wildlife conservation.
Boost to Tourism with the Proposed Tourist Circuit
The corridor will connect Ranthambore, Kuno, Madhav, and Panna Tiger Reserves through 179-304 km of road networks. Once the Panna-Sagar route is linked, tourists will have direct access to these reserves, creating North-Central India’s largest tiger corridor.
Wildlife Attractions for Tourists
Tourists from Delhi can explore tigers at Ranthambore, cheetahs at Kuno, and tigers at Madhav and Panna. Other wildlife species such as leopards, blackbucks, crocodiles, bears, hyenas, spotted deer, and chinkaras will also be visible. The Chambal Sanctuary will further attract visitors with gharial crocodiles and Ganges dolphins.
Steady Growth in Wildlife Tourism
Wildlife tourism in Madhya Pradesh has seen significant growth:
- 2013-14: 10.9 lakh visitors generated ₹2,068.29 lakh in revenue.
- 2022-23: 26.49 lakh visitors contributed ₹5,565.33 lakh.
- 2023-24: 19.91 lakh tourists generated ₹4,206.47 lakh.
- 2024-25: The final report is expected to show over 25-30 lakh tourists.
Strengthening Wildlife Conservation and Tourism
To enhance wildlife tourism, a revised proposal for Dr. Ambedkar Wildlife Sanctuary has been submitted under the North Sagar Forest Division. This project will establish an interlinked wildlife corridor, ensuring increased tourist footfall – L. Krishnamurthy, APCCF Wildlife.
