M.P. High Court seeks report on State’s tiger reserves amid canine distemper virus deaths
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has demanded a status report on tiger reserves following the deaths of eight tigers due to the Canine Distemper Virus. Authorities have vaccinated approximately 2,500 dogs in the Kanha Tiger Reserve to prevent further spread of the disease.
Why it matters
It highlights the intersection of wildlife conservation and public health, specifically the threat domestic animals pose to endangered species.
Around 2,500 dogs have been vaccinated in Madhya Pradesh’s Kanha Tiger Reserve amid the deaths of eight tigers since April due to Canine Distemper Virus (CDV), State authorities have told The Madhya Pradesh High Court.
The High Court has, however, sought a status report on all nine tiger reserves of the State as well as on measures taken to curb the spread of the virus at Kanha.
Hearing a petition on July 9, a Division Bench of Justices Anand Pathak and B.P. Sharma also directed the State and Central Governments and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to keep vigil over all tiger reserves.
“It is expected that respondents shall rise to the occasion and will keep vigilance over all Tiger Reserves and whenever and wherever vaccination is required, said drive be undertaken so that the cat family be saved from onslaught of such natural/health calamities,” the court said.
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