All-season road, air link planned to boost Kuno tourism

Bhopal: CM Mohan Yadav on Friday announced plans to transform Kuno National Park into a model wildlife tourism destination, with improved road and air connectivity, and a tent city set up within the forest. "An all-weather paved road and direct air links from Gwalior would boost access to the park," Yadav said at a review meeting on the Cheetah Project's implementation in the state. The meeting was attended by Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav. To tap the potential of nature tourism, the state govt will involve more youth and women in wildlife-based livelihoods. "Women from self-help groups and ‘Cheetah Mitras', the local volunteers supporting cheetah conservation, will be trained as tourist guides. ‘Didi Cafes' (women-run cafes under the State Livelihood Mission) will be opened in the Kuno area, creating local employment opportunities for women," the CM said. Following the union minister's vision, the CM said an international-level veterinary hospital and rescue centre will be set up in the Kuno area with central assistance. "This facility will serve cheetahs and support cattle care across the region." CM Yadav was pleased to note that cheetah cubs born in Madhya Pradesh have the world's highest survival rate. In contrast, cubs in other countries often struggle to adapt to local climates. Union minister Yadav praised the CM's efforts in promoting wildlife conservation and tourism. He recommended forming a task force of senior officials from the forest, tourism, animal husbandry, panchayat & rural development, tribal affairs, and transport departments to monitor wildlife rehabilitation projects. To train the 400 ‘Cheetah Mitras' from 80 villages in Sheopur district, the Union minister proposed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal. These volunteers will also be trained in homestay management and nature tourism roles.