Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has affirmed the state government’s strong commitment to the conservation of living beings. He emphasised that the reintroduction of crocodiles, considered the vehicle of Maa Narmada, into their natural habitat reflects Madhya Pradesh’s cultural and environmental responsibility. The river habitat is highly favourable for crocodiles and their presence will further strengthen the ecological balance and water flow of the river. This initiative is important for the state’s wildlife conservation.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav conducted rituals and ceremoniously released six crocodiles, brought from Van Vihar, Bhopal, into the waters of the Maa Narmada at Narmadnagar (Punasa) in Khandwa district on Thursday. The Chief Minister stated that, along with other wildlife, aquatic species such as crocodiles will continue to thrive and multiply under the state’s ongoing efforts for ecological enrichment and conservation. In Indian culture, humans and wildlife are considered mutually dependent, and crocodiles are a vital link in the aquatic ecosystem. The backwater area of the Indira Sagar Project provides an ideal environment for the preservation and enrichment of Maa Narmada’s vehicle, the crocodile.
During the occasion, forest officials presented a detailed plan and overview for the proposed Omkareshwar Sanctuary to Chief Minister Dr. Yadav. The total forest area under the general forest division Khandwa covers 283,773.23 hectares, with the proposed Omkareshwar Sanctuary set to span 61,407.09 hectares, including forest ranges in Punasa, Moondi, Chandgarh, and Baldi under the Khandwa division and Satwas, Kotafod, Punjapura, and Udyanagar under the Dewas division.
The event was attended by Tribal Affairs Minister Dr. Kunwar Vijay Shah, MPs, MLAs, the Mayor of Khandwa, the Chairman of the District Panchayat, divisional and district officials and senior forest department officers.