Yogesh Pandey from Kuno National Park14 minutes ago
In Madhya Pradesh, the prices of the land in the surrounding areas have started touching the sky amid the sound of cheetahs being brought to the Kuno National Park in Sheopur. At the same time, in the prospect of increasing tourism, the hopes of flourishing resort and hotel business here have also increased a lot. Rishiraj Singh, who belonged to the Palpur royal family, had started the construction of the resort. At present they are building 12 rooms here. They believe that till last year, the price of land here was Rs 1 to 3 lakh bighas, which has now crossed Rs 11.5 lakh. Many of the land buyers are from Rajasthan.
Like Rishiraj, many investors are seeing the future of their business in African cheetahs around Kuno. They hope that cheetahs are also bringing with them the possibility of tourism. The price of land has increased by 5 to 10 times just after the news of the arrival of cheetahs. Alam is that most of the land on the side of the lifeless road connecting the entry gate of Sesaipura to Tiktauli has been or is being dealt with.
People of Rajasthan are also among those who bought land. They are looking for hope of future tourism in the 150 km distance from Kuno to Ranthambore. They feel that if tourists coming to see the tigers of Ranthambore get tempting offers from Kuno, then they will definitely come here.
Deal difficult, because tribals’ lands are leased
When Dainik Bhaskar inquired about the purchase of land from the villagers here, the villagers told that this is the land of the tribals, whose deals are restricted. The buyers may get the land, but they will not be registered. The villagers also agreed that the land rates have increased due to the movement of cheetahs. How much did you grow? The answers to this question are different. Somewhere 7 lakh and somewhere 11 lakh bigha, whereas earlier no one was ready to take this land for 80 thousand to one lakh bigha. When we inquired about the amount of land we had face to face, people told that the deal has been done, or is happening. Most of the land that is left now belongs to the tribals, which they have got on lease from the government.
Few tourists came in 2 years, now the hope has increased
At present, there is only one Kuno Jungle Resort to stay here. There is a lot of preparations for the tourists in this resort taken on lease from the tourism department on the banks of river Kuno. Obviously the rates are the same. Even in Shivpuri and Sheopur district adjoining Kuno, there are no such hotels yet, which can stop the tourists coming to see the forest. The manager of the resort, Sudarshan Pathak, is getting the work done fast in his resort. The team of doctors who came from South Africa to understand the adaptation of cheetahs was staying in this resort. Pathak says that for the last two years only a few tourists have come here, but now the rooms may be less, so some new rooms are being prepared. However, there is pressure on weekends. Even before the arrival of the cheetahs, this resort has also done new deals of land to increase its scope. Bharat Singh Gurjar, a district member of the same village says – Most of the people now want to open hotels and resorts here. Obviously the youth will get work.
The villagers said – ‘If we sell the land, then tell me what will you eat’
The nearest village to the National Park is Tiktoli. It also has its entry gate through here. The people here are unaware of the arrival of cheetahs. There is neither the glow of cheetahs on his face, nor any fear. They are busy with their daily chores. Some youths met here, who were trying to pull BSNL’s line to the National Park, told that they were not happy about it. This will make it more difficult. Our animals will be in greater danger.
However, the elders of Moravan village, 6.50 km before this, gave a mixed reaction. They are apprehensive about their pets becoming prey to cheetahs, but they hope that increased tourism may open up jobs for their young children. They say that if dhabas-hotels are opened then their children will get work.
They are not happy with the increase in land rates. They say that if you sell the land then what will you eat? They have been evicted from their roots for the expansion of this forest once in the past as well.
The culverts are broken, there is a possibility of getting stuck in the car.
At present, the condition of the Kuno access road is so bad that in the summer, a cloud of dust flies behind the vehicles in such a way that you will have to stop your car even if you do not want to. If you show haste, there is a risk of your vehicle getting stuck in a damaged culvert or rough road ahead. Here the administration is trying to fix it immediately. It will be said to be ostentatious because only 4 culverts are damaged within a radius of 10 km in its footpath. Engineers of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana are getting it repaired, but they themselves cannot guarantee its safety when heavy vehicles pass through it. Apart from this, there is no other accessible way to reach here by road.
No mobile network, now BSNL’s temporary line laid
A board on the deserted land outside Kuno has a board of land reserved for the tourist police post, but no one has any answer as to when the police will come here? Till the time the police don’t come, even the tourists will not be sure about the safety. The nearest police station here is Sesaipura. Its distance is 8.50 kms from Tiktauli Gate. There is a complete guarantee that the network will not work on the way. Before the arrival of Prime Minister Modi, the temporary line of BSNL is being pulled up to the park, but when it will be permanent it is difficult to say at the moment.
Some villagers angry about bringing animals from abroad
Arvind Sikarwar of Sheopur is not happy with the arrival of these cheetahs. They say that even though the government is celebrating the arrival of cheetahs, tourism is not everything. There are 1.50 lakh cows in Goras village near Karhal between Shivpuri and Sheopur. Nanda Gurjar is the sarpanch here.
Sahariya, the oldest tribe of India, lives here. Apart from Morena, Sheopur, Ashoknagar, Guna, this tribe will not be found anywhere else. These are such tribes, who do not have any revenue land. Shepherd community is in abundance here. There has also been a dry area for a long time. They are also surviving here because animal husbandry is their main wealth. The government could also make Kuno a cow sanctuary.
The officers also showed the love of foreign plants here
Government officials have planted acacia hills outside Kuno as well. It is a plant from Australia. The first demerit of this plant is that it never dries up. Draws more water than eucalyptus. A fence of this plant has been erected there which is a medicinal forest. There is a preparation to plant the grass here in the Satpura forest. We also have to keep in mind the migration of tribals. This is also a matter of concern.
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The Prime Minister’s stage will be above the cage. These days, officers’ vehicles are moving in and out every 10 minutes at the gate of Kuno National Park. More than the arrival of the cheetahs, there is a stir about the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will open the cages of these cheetahs on his birthday on September 17. The question is, is the security of the Prime Minister not threatened by this fastest running animal of the forest? Yes, there is no danger, because cheetahs never attack humans. CCF Uttam Sharma of Kuno National Park says that till date there has not been a single case in the world in which cheetahs have attacked humans. Read full news…
The Prime Minister’s stage will be above the cage.
PM Modi will visit MP on his birthday on 17 September