MP: Local activists launch movement to save Dumna forests, amplify support online

The attraction to commercialize Dumna is not new and the struggle to save Dumna started when a tiger safari was proposed in the heart of the forest reserve five years ago

The movement harbored immense support from netizens and trended on Twitter India at #8.
The movement harbored immense support from netizens and trended on Twitter India at #8.
user

NH Web Desk

Climate Activists, along with active citizens, have expressed strong opposition to development project plans that threaten the forest ecosystem of Dumna. The movement harbored immense support from netizens and trended on Twitter India with the tag ‘DUMNA NATIONAL PARK’, demanding that Dumna be declared a National Park.

Locals have been voicing their concerns against any further construction in the Dumna region since July 4, 2020, along with Save Dumna, which has been raising awareness about the importance of saving Dumna’s ecology and advocating against the mindless construction in and around Dumna region.

This tweet by a local resident, speaks volumes about the selfish human activities destroying nature, he says “Somewhere in Pachmarhi its written “Let no one say, and say it to your shame, that all was beauty here, before you came”. Dumna is beautiful, lets try to keep it that way.”

The attraction to commercialize Dumna is not new and the struggle to save Dumna started when a tiger safari was proposed in the heart of the forest reserve five years ago. A PIL revealed that “even if the minimum figures are taken, there would be a footfall of more than 250,000 people per annum in the tiger safari” which would mean about 800 people per day would visit the tiger safari and travel to the core of Dumna Nature Reserve.

Additionally, the locals are upset by the redistribution plans in favour of encompassing 40 acre site for railway quarters, over 25 acres of land for a green city including a stadium and another 10 acres in the talks for a residential complex of those in the Revenue Department. The stadium proposed on a watershed site would strangle the city’s water supply. Not to mention that the waste from IIITDM has been flowing into Khandari Lake, polluting the drinking water source.


Dumna is home to diverse biodiversity, which stands at threat from multiple projects. The petitions to save Dumna now have a total of over 19000 signatures. 'There Is No Earth B', an organisation working towards saving the environment and natural habitat, stated that over a 1000 people wrote to the authorities to stop destroying Dumna.

Any further degradation to Dumna would be fatal to the 150 years of conservation history of a plethora of flora and fauna. It is important to note that any non-forested development activities, in and around Dumna forest, are prohibited under the Forest Conservation Act '80.

Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Google News, Instagram 

Join our official telegram channel (@nationalherald) and stay updated with the latest headlines