Bhopal, July 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Madhya Pradesh is set to expand its wildlife conservation programme by introducing rhinoceroses into the state, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced on the occasion of International Tiger Day, while expressing confidence that the state’s tiger population will surpass the 1,000-mark in the next national census.
Addressing a state-level function in Bhopal on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said Madhya Pradesh has broadened its conservation efforts beyond tigers to include cheetahs, gharials, elephants, wild buffaloes and other endangered species. He said rhinoceroses would soon become part of the state’s wildlife restoration initiative.
Highlighting the state’s conservation achievements, Yadav noted that Madhya Pradesh has retained its position as the country’s “Tiger State” due to the steady rise in tiger numbers. He recalled that the tiger population, which had once declined to double digits several decades ago, reached 785 in the 2022 census and is expected to exceed 1,000 in the next enumeration.
The Chief Minister also pointed to the successful revival of the wild buffalo population, a species that had disappeared from the state nearly a century ago. He said gharial conservation has been strengthened in the Chambal River, with the reptiles also being reintroduced into rivers in the Kuno region.
Referring to human-elephant conflict, Yadav said the Forest Department has significantly reduced such incidents through the use of modern technology and innovative management practices, easing concerns in affected areas.
During the event, the Chief Minister inaugurated a wildlife conservation exhibition, flagged off new forest protection vehicles, released publications on biodiversity and wildlife management, and unveiled the official logos of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve and Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve. He also participated in the “One Person, One Leaf” campaign aimed at encouraging public participation in environmental conservation.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Samita Rajoura said nearly 2.8 million tourists visit Madhya Pradesh’s wildlife destinations annually, including around one lakh international visitors. She added that conservation activities are being carried out across all nine tiger reserves with the active involvement of forest committees and local communities.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force Shubharanjan Sen said sustained conservation initiatives have helped Madhya Pradesh earn recognition as the Tiger State, Cheetah State and Leopard State, with its wildlife protection efforts receiving appreciation at both national and international levels.
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