Omkareshwar Sanctuary to Boost Wildlife Conservation and Tourism : CM Dr. Yadav

On the occasion of Madhya Pradesh’s Foundation Day, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav announced the establishment of the Omkareshwar Sanctuary during the ‘Abhyudaya Madhya Pradesh’ event. This sanctuary will be the state’s 27th, formed by combining the forest areas of Khandwa and Dewas districts. Spanning a total area of 611.753 square kilometers, 343.274 sq km from Khandwa and 268.479 sq km from Dewas, the submergence areas have been excluded to ensure the livelihood of local fishermen and villagers remains unaffected.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav stated that tigers will also reside in Omkareshwar Sanctuary, which already hosts leopards, bears, sambars, hyenas, cheetals and a variety of other wildlife. The purpose is to protect the region’s natural wealth, safeguard the environment, and provide employment to local communities.

Arrival of Wild Buffaloes and Rhinos from Assam

Plans are underway to bring wild buffalo and rhinos from Assam to Omkareshwar. Madhya Pradesh is a pioneer in biodiversity; it has successfully reintroduced cheetahs, and soon, cheetahs from Namibia will be released in the Noradehi Sanctuary.

Structure of Omkareshwar Sanctuary

As per the Forest Department’s action plan, the sanctuary will encompass the Punasa, Mundi, Chandgarh, and Baldi forest ranges of Khandwa district, along with the Satwas, Kantafod, Punjapura and Udaynagar ranges of Dewas district. Notably, there are no revenue villages or forest settlements within the sanctuary’s designated boundaries.

52 Islands Within the Sanctuary

The sanctuary features 52 islands—31 in the Mundi range and 21 in the Chandgarh range. Bhoriamal and Jalchauki Dharikotla will be developed as eco-tourism centers.

Flora and Fauna

Major flora includes teak, salai and dhawda trees. Key carnivorous animals are tigers, leopards, bears, jackals and hyenas. Herbivores include peacocks, cheetals, sambars, chinkaras, bheedki (four-horned antelope), porcupines, rabbits and monkeys.

Eco-Tourism to Boost Employment and Rural Prosperity

In addition to environmental conservation, the sanctuary will also emphasise tourism and rural development. Initiatives such as setting up hotels and resorts, developing livestock and poultry farms, collecting minor forest produce, widening existing roads, preserving hillsides and riverbanks, managing nighttime traffic and improving solid waste management will be undertaken. The promotion of eco-tourism is expected to create both direct and indirect employment opportunities for local residents, significantly enhancing their economic well-being and overall quality of life. Influx of tourists will foster cultural exchange, expand traditional lifestyles, food, and religious beliefs and enrich social and cultural activities. Omkareshwar will evolve into a center for biodiversity and a model for economically self-sustained rural tourism.

Tourism and Jobs in the Sanctuary Area

With the establishment of Omkareshwar Sanctuary, not only will environmental protection be strengthened, but tourism-based employment opportunities will rise in the surrounding 20 villages, including Andharwadi, Chiktikhal, Sirkia, Bhetkheda, Punasa and Narmdanagar.

Eco-tourism, hotel and resort development, forest produce collection, livestock farms, and solid waste management will provide locals with both direct and indirect employment opportunities, revitalising both the environment and the local economy.