Puneet Balan announces Rs 8 cr Interpretation Centre in Bandhavgarh

Pune-based industrialist and filmmaker Puneet Balan has announced an investment of around Rs 7-8 crore to establish a state-of-the-art Interpretation Centre at Madhya Pradesh's Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, according to agency reports. The centre will be named after his mother, Indrani Balan, and aims to promote wildlife conservation, environmental awareness and tourism.
The announcement was made in the presence of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Development BS Annagiri. The proposed centre will use modern technology and interactive presentations to educate visitors about forest biodiversity, tiger habitats, wildlife conservation, ecosystems and other aspects of the forest.In addition to the centre, Balan has announced the donation of three electric SUVs and one Scorpio vehicle to the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve. He has also promised to provide 500 modern bicycles for forest personnel to strengthen their mobility and improve the efficiency of field operations.
Balan, who is also a filmmaker, plans to produce a documentary on Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve to highlight its wildlife and conservation efforts.Earlier, Balan visited Bandhavgarh in June 2022 at the invitation of then Madhya Pradesh Forest Minister Vijay Shah. During the visit, he was impressed by the work and conduct of then Bandhavgarh Director BS Annagiri and his team. Following the visit, around 650 forest personnel at the reserve were provided insurance coverage for 15 years through his initiative.The latest announcements build on his earlier support for forest staff and conservation efforts. The proposed Interpretation Centre and additional vehicles are expected to strengthen the forest department's resources while creating greater awareness among tourists about Bandhavgarh's rich biodiversity.The focus will now be on the commencement of construction and the timeline for making the centre accessible to visitors, stated officials.

(Assistant Editor)