The idea was first discussed between Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Global Investors Summit in Indore in 2014. The main areas in focus are tiger and elephant reserves in the country. Under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) proposed, corporates can take up tourism, but will not be allowed to put up permanent structures in the area. As part of the proposal, along with cameras at waterholes and artificially created tiger dens, fences and corridors will also be chalked out. By live-streaming footage from the forest, conservation and tourism can go hand-in-hand.
Shivraj Singh Chauhan has also proposed amendments in the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, that will transfer conservation rights to State Governments that can do more justice to the protection activities. However, the Central Government is expected to share a part of the cost as Project Development Expenditure (PDE) and Viability Gap Funding (VGF). Concessions will be awarded for good maintenance efforts, while violations will be penalised.
Praveen Bhargav, managing trustee, Wildlife First, believes this proposal is a welcome move but must be exercised with caution. “Any effort related to such PPP models must be carefully scrutinized to ensure that genuine donors participate and real estate sharks are kept out. The forest department must sign clear MoUs to regulate land use, not only to prevent mindless construction but also to ensure that ecologically viable buffers and corridors are created, which is truly voluntary," he said.
