Panna: In what can only be described as a conservation-related achievement of epic proportions, the Panna Tiger Reserve which had the dubious distinction of being officially declared bereft of even a solitary big cat in March 2009 now boasts in excess of 50 tigers, tigresses and cubs that are attracting even tourists from abroad.
Led by the area's then Field Director R Sreenivasa Murthy, hundreds of wildlife enthusiasts are conducting numerous programmes there these days. A decade back, an ambitious scheme was launched under which a tiger from Pench forest and a tigress each from Kanha and Bandhavgarh were released in the zone.
However, the male returned towards Pench on November 27, 2009. Commanded by Mr Murthy, dozens of officials riding elephants and in vehicles braved the wintry weather and after approximately 20 days of toil, the tiger was located, tranquilised on December 25 and brought back.(UNI)