Rumble in the Jungle| Tiger Tourism

A plan to set up an 'empowered wildlife advisory committee' in Madhya Pradesh has been caught up in the conservation versus tourism debate and is facing stiff resistance from the state's forest department. A proposal to create such a body was recently sent to the state government by Delhi-based conservationist Valmik Thapar (who was also recently appointed to the state's wildlife advisory board). The proposal has been rejected by the state's chief wildlife warden, U. Prakasham, who says that such a committee is not needed. A section of conservationists had also opposed the proposal-they argue that such a committee would favour tourism over conservation.

Tourism has emerged as a major focus for the Kamal Nath-led state government, which hopes the sector can provide substantial employment and revenue. In