Madhav Tiger Reserve Inaugurated, Chambal Poised for Wildlife Tourism Boom

Gwalior

Madhya Pradesh’s Chambal region got a major boost on Monday as Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated the state’s ninth tiger reserve in Shivpuri, marking a historic moment for conservation and tourism.

The Madhav Tiger Reserve, now the country’s 58th national tiger reserve, welcomed a tigress as part of its reintroduction programme. Yadav praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s conservation efforts and thanked the central government for supporting Madhya Pradesh’s newest tiger sanctuary. The Chief Minister also unveiled the reserve’s official logo and inaugurated its boundary wall.

Yadav highlighted Chambal’s unique biodiversity, home to cheetahs in Kuno, gharials in the Chambal River, and now tigers in Madhav National Park. He stressed that the government is committed to making Chambal a prime wildlife tourism destination, creating new employment opportunities and accelerating regional development.

Dubbed the “Tiger State,” Madhya Pradesh boasts India’s highest tiger population. Until now, the Chambal region was the only part of the state without tiger movement. The reserve’s inauguration on the birth anniversary of Late Madhavrao Scindia symbolises a new era of holistic development, further enhancing Madhya Pradesh’s wildlife heritage.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia lauded the initiative, noting that after Panna, Madhav is the third national park in the state to be revived. He cited the successful cheetah reintroduction in Kuno and the growing footprint of tiger conservation. The combined area of Kuno and Madhav Tiger Reserves now exceeds 3,000 square kilometres, strengthening wildlife preservation efforts.

The event was attended by Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Narendra Singh Tomar, Energy Minister Pradyumn Singh Tomar, Minister of State for Forests Dilip Singh Ahirwar, and other public representatives, marking a significant milestone in Madhya Pradesh’s conservation journey.