Nagzira, Bor, Karhandla, cancel machan census

Nagpur: With the forecast of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and rain in the Vidarbha region, Bor and Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve have completely canceled the ‘Nisarga Subhuman’ exercise (scaffolding census) to be held on the date of May 5-6 (Buddha Purnima). However, Melghat and Pench Tiger Reserve have decided to take it further.

Due to badly damaged tourist routes in Bor and Umred-Karhandla-Paoni wildlife sanctuaries, booking for wildlife safari has been stopped from May 4.

NNTR field director Jayaramegowda said, “We will organize it during next month’s ‘Poornima’. For those who are not ready to come, the booking amount will be refunded.”

Pramod Panchbhai, Deputy Conservator of Forests of Bor and Umred-Karhandla-Paoni Wildlife Sanctuary, has also said about this that the wooden scaffolding is not at all safe to sit on now. “Due to the rain and gale warning, we cannot take any risk. Heavy rains in the last few days have damaged the tourist roads. The forest roads in the Kuhi range are submerged in water,” they said.

Melghat Tiger Reserve had only around 140 scaffolds for the participants

With participants coming from Pune and Mumbai, Panchbhai has said that they will be allowed to go on safaris on motorable routes.

The Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR), which has jurisdiction over Amravati, Akola, Buldhana, Washim, and Yavatmal, is going ahead with the exercise with some caution. They have a backup plan.

Chief conservator and field director Jayoti Banerjee said, “If it rains, we will shift the participants to our forest rest houses and security camps.”

The Melghat Tiger Reserve had only around 140 scaffolds for the participants. “We reduced the number in view of heat wave warnings and possible incidents of a forest fire. Our staff will then be required to deal with emergencies. Luckily, it is raining now.” added Jayoti Banerjee.

Deputy Director of Maharashtra Pench Prabhu Nath Shukla also said, ‘We will take this program forward. if it rains, Then the participants will be transferred to the nearest security jut.

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