Madhya Pradesh to Fence Tiger Reserve Buffers

• 23 Apr 2025

On 22nd April 2025, the Madhya Pradesh government sanctioned a Rs.145-crore plan to install chain-link fencing in buffer zones across nine tiger reserves to reduce human-tiger conflicts.

• The Rs.145-crore fencing initiative will be executed over three financial years starting from 2025–26 through 2027–28.
• The decision follows a sharp increase in tiger population in the state, which surged from 526 in 2018 to 785 in recent years.
• Four tiger attacks were reported between March and April 2025, including a fatal incident involving a 14-year-old boy and multiple attacks by a tigress near Bandhavgarh.
• The fencing aims to restrict human movement in forest-fringe villages and reduce direct encounters with tigers in buffer zones.
• Compensation includes Rs.10 lakh for families of deceased victims, up to Rs.2 lakh for serious injuries, and Rs.25,000 for minor injuries, with additional provisions for property damage.