Mungantiwar vows to block Kanhalgaon sanctuary plan opposed by 47 villages

Dhaba: Residents of 47 villages in and around Gondpipri are unhappy over the proposed Kanhalgaon sanctuary. Former forest minister and MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar has taken a firm stand in favour of the villagers. He said no decision would be imposed without taking villagers into confidence or against their wishes.

According to Mungantiwar, the traditional rights of tribals over water, forest and land, local people's employment and the safety of citizens will be given the highest priority. He assured that he would lobby at the highest level of the government to get the sanctuary proposal cancelled.

On the issue, Mungantiwar first sought the views of office-bearers of the sarpanch association. He then held a video meeting with senior Forest Department officials. The meeting discussed in detail the possible restrictions that would follow from a sanctuary, local employment, the traditional rights of tribals and human-wildlife conflict. Citing the villagers' sharp opposition, Mungantiwar said further action should not be taken without understanding their feelings and difficulties.

The proposed Kanhalgaon sanctuary covers about 25,138 hectares. It includes 39 villages of Gondpipri taluka, 5 of Pombhurna taluka and 3 of Ballarpur taluka, 47 villages in all. A large part of the forest in the area is currently managed by the Forest Development Corporation, and local people get employment through the corporation.

Villagers fear that if a sanctuary is created, restrictions will be imposed on villages falling in the core and buffer areas. They also fear that forest-based employment and minor forest produce will be affected.

The livelihood of many families in this tribal-dominated area depends on the forest's natural resources. People are worried that if restrictions are placed on their traditional way of life in the name of a sanctuary, their very existence will be at stake. The problems of people from the rehabilitated villages of the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Project were also raised at the meeting.

To resolve the matter, Mungantiwar has taken the initiative to arrange a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on November 18, 19 or 20. Forest Minister Ganesh Naik and the Forest Department secretary will also be approached. He suggested a joint meeting in Nagpur or Chandrapur of senior Forest Department officials, representatives of the sarpanch association and villagers.

The proposal has become a question of livelihood, survival and traditional rights for thousands of families in the 47 villages, and the entire region is now watching for the likely meeting with the Chief Minister and the Forest Minister.