Melghat’s 50th anniversary fest spoiled by MLA’s threat in Maharashtra

NAGPUR: In a sorry state of affairs, Melghat, one of the nine tiger reserves declared in the country in 1974 under ‘Project Tiger’, could not celebrate its 50th anniversary on Wednesday due to a threat from local MLA Rajkumar Patel about disrupting the event planned at Semadoh.
Melghat was declared a tiger reserve on February 22, 1974. On Wednesday, several events were organized to mark the 50th anniversary, at the Semadoh ecotourism complex.
“We are being asked as to why there were no celebrations. We had planned several events with the participation of local tribes and were waiting for this occasion for a year. It is heartbreaking for us. Looking into the threat that would have created a law and order problem, we had to put off the event,” MTR officials told TOI.
The programmes included the opening of a waiting hall to depict Korku culture and heritage, at Semadoh check-post, the release of a biodiversity map and the latest bird survey report, and the opening of an eco-protection hut in Kund. Field staff who have done outstanding work for conservation and protection was also to be felicitated.
“It would have been a lovely interface with local culture for all invitees and attendees from outside Melghat. We are still hopeful that in days to come, we will be able to celebrate with local leadership,” officials told TOI.
MLA Patel told TOI, “Yes, I didn’t let the celebrations happen because several developmental works like roads, small bridges and electricity lines have been stalled due to the tiger reserve. In the last 50 years, people cooperated to increase the tiger numbers but they are still deprived of basic facilities.”
“My constituency is equal to the geographical area of Wardha district. All the works are being done on revenue land but the forest department has stalled several works. Even 50 years after the tiger reserve was formed, 24 villages are without power. Therefore, I decided to stage protests along with tribals on February 22, when the 50th year celebrations were organized,” said Patel.
Patel on February 16 had written to state chief minister Eknath Shinde stating, “The tiger reserve is proving to be a curse for people rather than a blessing. No developmental works are being undertaken due to stringent conditions under the various Acts.”
“Melghat suffers from malnutrition and getting better health facilities is a big issue due to the lack of road connectivity. No water schemes and projects are coming up due to hurdles in getting clearances,” said Patel.
However, a study conducted in October 2019 by experts and scientists to find out the tangible and intangible benefits of the Melghat landscape found that the economic value of Melghat was over Rs1.70 lakh crores. This includes carbon sequestration, forest produce, grazing benefits, water and soil conservation value, and other ecological values.
Melghat seems to be a monument of neglect with the reserve still not receiving any funds this financial year. The tiger reserve has sacrificed the mandated works which were supposed to be done as per the operational manual.