The black buck conservation project launched in 2010 in forest around upcoming Meja Thermal Power Plant has failed to take off. Despite availability of funds, the project is still confined to only 35 hectares against proposed 200 hectares in three villages.

While the forest department has failed to acquire around 100 hectares required to turn the area into a tourist destination, gram panchayat and district administration are yet to hand over the land in Chand Khamaria village.

District forest officer (DFO) Manoj Kumar Khare said, "Despite local MLA and forest department's effort to convince farmers into giving the land, the project has not moved ahead. The gram sabha (gram panchayat) has to hand over the land to the department. However, no one seems to care about the issue. If the land is provided to us, the entire area will be developed so that tourists can enjoy the beautiful animal in its natural habitat.".........Read more

Source web page: Times of India