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Problems Near Pench National Park: MP Barve Speaks Up

•  Adeeb Sahil
•  August 23, 2025

Pench National Park

Pench jungle safari

The forests around Pench National Park are full of many wild animals. This includes the famous and big animal, the tiger. Many tourists visit this area to see tigers and other animals during the Pench jungle safari. While the forest is beautiful, living near it is not easy. People who live in the villages near the Pench National Park are facing many problems. One of the biggest problems is that wild animals come into their villages and attack people or their animals. This is called man-animal conflict.

These attacks are making people scared and unhappy. Many villagers have lost their family members or cattle. Recently, this problem became big news when a Member of Parliament (MP), Shyam Barve, talked about it in the Lok Sabha (Parliament). He explained the problems faced by tribal people who live close to the Pench National Park. He asked the central government to take quick and serious action. He said that both the people and the animals must be protected. His speech showed that the issue is very important and needs help from the top leaders of the country.

Where the Problem Is Happening

This issue is mostly occurring near Pench National Park, which is located in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The park also spreads into some parts of the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is located in the Nagpur district. Pench National Park is very important for protecting wild animals, especially tigers. It is also a popular place for tourists who come for the Pench jungle safari.

Around this protected area, there are many small tribal villages. Tribal people have been living here for many years. Their families depend on farming and raising animals like cows and goats. Every day, they need to go near the forest to take care of their fields, cut wood, or take their cattle for grazing. Because they live so close to the forest, they often come near wild animals.

In the past, there were fewer problems, but now the number of attacks has gone up. Tigers and other animals come into the villages, especially at night or early in the morning. This has made life very difficult for the people who live there.

What Is The Main Problem

The biggest problem started after Pench was made a national park. When it became a protected forest, the government made rules to stop people from entering certain areas. These rules are there to protect wild animals. Now, tribal people cannot freely go into the forest as they used to before. They need special permission, and there are limits on what they can do inside the forest.

But there is a very large issue with this system. While the people are stopped from going into the forest, the wild animals are not stopped from coming into the villages. Tigers, leopards, and other animals enter human areas and sometimes attack people or kill their animals. Because of this, many villagers are living in fear.

These attacks have caused injuries and even deaths. People who go to their farms or take care of cattle are always in danger. They do not have strong fences, safe roads, or proper help to keep them safe from wild animals. They have no choice but to continue their daily work, even when they are scared. They need their fields and animals to earn money and grow food.

This situation is unfair. The forest and animals are protected, but the people who live nearby do not get protection. They are asking for help so that they can live and work without fear.

What MP Shyam Barve Said

In Parliament, MP Shyam Barve talked about this problem in a serious and strong way. He said that in the last three years, at least 11 people from his Ramtek constituency have died due to tiger attacks. These are only the known cases. There could be more people who were hurt or died but were not counted officially.

He also gave a bigger picture. He said over 700+ people have been killed in man-animal conflict incidents in India in the last four years. Out of these, more than 200 deaths happened in Maharashtra alone. This shows that the problem is not small and not only in one area. It is happening in many places and is very serious.

Mr. Barve said that tribal people have always cared for the forest. They love nature and protect it. But now, they are being ignored. He said that the government has not done anything to help these people. There are no jobs, no safety systems, and no support for them. There are also no cattle corridors, which are special paths for animals so they don’t enter villages.

He asked the government to start programs that would help the people near the forests. He said there should be plans that keep both the forest and the people safe. He said it is important to act fast and not wait for more people to die.

What Rashmi Barve (His Wife) Said

Rashmi Barve, former Nagpur Zilla Parishad president and wife of MP Shyam Barve, also shared her views. She said a tiger that has attacked and killed a person is moving around the Parseoni area in Ramtek. Because of this, people in nearby villages are very scared.

But even with fear, villagers still go to work. Many of them are farmers, and this is the time to plant crops. If they miss this season, they will have no food or income.

Rashmi Barve said the forest department and government must act fast. She said people should not be forced to live in fear every day.

What Needs To Be Done

The area near Pench National Park needs quick action. The government should take steps to help both local people and wildlife.

• People’s Safety: Use cameras and forest staff to watch animal movement. Special teams should help if animals enter villages.
• Safe Movement: Build safe walking paths and cattle routes so people and animals do not cross paths.
• Jobs and Skills: Start training programs for tribal people in eco-tourism, crafts, or farming. This will give them safe ways to earn money.
• Help for Farmers: Give farmers good tools, seeds, and crop insurance to improve their farming.
• Planning for the Future: Make strong, long-term plans that care for both forests and villages.

Pench National Park is important for nature. Tourists enjoy the Pench jungle safari, but local people also need safety and support. The government must act fast and fairly for everyone.