Madhya Pradesh tiger reserves, national parks, sanctuaries, zoos and safaris have been put on alert following a ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) advisory regarding possibility of spread of COVID-19 virus among wild animals and also reports of deaths of lions due to COVID-19.
MP has the highest number of tigers in the country at 526, and a large array of wildlife.
The MoEF has asked chief wildlife wardens of all states and Union territories to close down the national parks/sanctuaries and other protected areas to tourists immediately and also to take all preventive measures to stop the transmission and spread of the virus from humans to animals and vice-versa.
Without mentioning the details of lions' deaths, the 11-point advisory, dated April 30, said, “In view of spread of COVID-19 in the country and reports of deaths of lions due to COVID-19, it is felt that there are possibilities of spread of the virus amongst animals in national parks/sanctuaries and other protected areas and also transmission of virus from human to animals and vice-versa.”
There have been reports of animals, including those in zoos and sanctuaries, being infected with COVID-19 in various countries across the globe and it has been surmised that the infection was spread from human caretakers.
The additional principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), J.S. Chauhan told THE WEEK that the advisory has been duly forwarded to all the field directors of tiger reserves, directors of national parks, sanctuary superintendents of directors of zoos and safaris for implementation.
“Already the national parks/tiger reserves, sanctuaries, zoos and safaris in Madhya Pradesh are closed to the public for a long time now. We have also appointed nodal officers of the rank of assistant conservator of forests in all such places to coordinate for COVID-19 related matters,” Chauhan said. He added that all points mentioned in the advisory will be duly followed.
The MoEF advisory, signed by deputy inspector general of forests (wildlife) Rakesh Kumar Jagenia, calls for reducing human animal interface as there are reports of animals contracting the disease from both symptomatic and asymptomatic human carriers of COVID-19. Field functionaries must be COVID-19 negative when they are deputed for duties and should follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, the advisory says.
Besides, the constitution of a task force/rapid action force with field managers, veterinary doctors and frontline staff has been advised to manage the situation as quickly as possible. The states have been asked to set up essential services for emergency treatment of animals and their safe release back to natural habitats as and when required. Also, the advisory mentions enhancing disease surveillance, mapping and monitoring systems through coordinated efforts amongst various departments.
