World s White Tiger Safari

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2016-04-04 10:46:57

Credit: justrav.com

Credit: justrav.com

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on 3 April 2016 inaugurated the world’s maiden ‘White Tiger Safari’ at Mukundpur in Satna district in the state’s Vindhya region where the feline was first discovered more than 100 years ago. The first of its kind safari has cost Rs 50 crore and is spread over an area of 25 hectares.

Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, Steel and Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Chief Minister Chouhan and MP’s Public Relations and Energy Minister Rajendra Shukla, among others, dedicated it to the public. The CM inaugurated the safari amid cheers and applause from more than one lakh people.

History of White Tigers Rewa

Safari would begin in Rewa, which was once home to this rare breed of the big cats. "The world's first White Tiger Safari would begin soon at Mand, Mukundpur Forest, Govindgarh near Rewa (M.P.) where the first white tiger was spotted by erstwhile ruler Maharaja Martand Singh in 1951 from Sidhi forest area (it was named as Mohan).

Initially, two female white tigers would be brought to begin the Safari and later a male white tiger, too, would be introduced to them for multiplication. "Nearly 99 per cent work on the Safari has been completed and it would be launched anytime next month.

The white tiger was caught by Martand Singh on May 27, 1951 from Sidhi district's Bargadi forest area and later the animal was brought to Govindarh Palace in Rewa from where it escaped the very next day and then again found in Mukundpur area about 26-27 km away from Rewa.

Mohan then remained in the area for over two decades and its progenies spread gradually to other parts of the world. "Though its progenies made their home in different parts of the world and Zoo's, they were found in their place of origin till 1976 only".

Source: indianexpress.com, whitetigersafari.mp-online.in