Madhya Pradesh: National parks and tiger reserves to reopen for a month

The Madhya Pradesh government has announced plans to reopen all its national parks and tiger reserves from June 1 to June 30. Previously, the state shut down all the parks and reserves due to the deadly second wave of Coronavirus pandemic. The good news was announced by the state Forest Minister Vijay Shah on Saturday.

Shah, in a video statement, said, "Madhya Pradesh is known as a tiger and leopard state. National parks and tiger reserves had been shut due to the coronavirus outbreak. We have decided to keep these parks and reserves open from June 1 to June 30."
The Minister further said that the decision was taken to aid those involved in tourism activities in these national parks and reserves. He also said that people visiting the national parks will have to follow all COVID guidelines strictly.

Madhya Pradesh is the state of tigers and leopards. The beautiful destination is dotted with some world-famous tiger reserves including the Bandhavgarh National Park, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Kanha Tiger Reserve, Pench National Park and Panna National Park.
The state is home to 3421 tigers. Then comes Karnataka at 1783, followed by Maharashtra 1690.

Good news was also shared by the forest officials on Friday, who informed that 41 tiger cubs (ranging from newborns to one year olds) have been sighted at the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve.