Khandwa, Nov 1 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mohan Yadav, on Saturday announced the establishment of the Omkareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, covering an area of 614 sq km, marking a significant milestone for the state as it becomes the 27th protected sanctuary in the revered Narmada valley.

During the state's 70th Foundation Day celebration held in Khandwa, CM Yadav introduced the Vision 2047 plan aimed at preparing Madhya Pradesh for the future. He emphasized the sanctuary's role as not only a refuge for wildlife but also as a symbol of ecological restoration linked to the region's spiritual heritage.

"This sanctuary represents the dawn of our 27th sanctuary dedicated to nurturing the gifts of nature," asserted CM Yadav, alluding to the rich cultural tapestry of Omkareshwar's Jyotirlinga legacy.

He added, "We are in talks with the state of Assam to potentially introduce rhinos and Gaur (Indian bison) to the sanctuary soon," while ensuring that the project will not disrupt the lives of those in the submerged areas of the Omkareshwar project.

The Madhya Pradesh State Wildlife Board has approved the initiative and forwarded the necessary documentation to the Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA) for final approval, nearly 40 years after the environmental clearance of the Indira Sagar Project required compensatory protected zones.

Authorities expect prompt notification, fulfilling a long-standing commitment to compensate for the diversion of 41,111 hectares for the Sardar Sarovar and Indira Sagar dams, initiated in the 1980s.

Home to over 50 tigers, the sanctuary, which spans parts of Khandwa and Dewas districts, will serve as Madhya Pradesh's 11th tiger reserve, alleviating overcrowding in well-known hotspots like Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Pench.

CM Yadav stated, "Around 30% of our tigers are currently outside reserves; the Omkareshwar sanctuary will protect this vulnerable population." A recent incident in February, where a tiger traveled 200 km into Gujarat's Ratanmahal Sanctuary, highlighted the urgent need for this new buffer zone to facilitate controlled wildlife dispersal.

Under the leadership of CM Yadav and the BJP administration, this initiative marks the second substantial wildlife effort following the earlier declaration of the Ratapani Reserve, reinforcing India's tiger conservation strategy in a state that holds the world's largest tiger population.

The sanctuary will boast robust infrastructure, including 73 forest buildings, 12 watch towers, and a dedicated team of 88 staff, including beat guards and range officers, ensuring operational readiness from day one without requiring additional resources.