'Jungle mein mangal': Ex-minister Vijay Shah under probe for picnic party in MP's tiger reserve

Bhopal: A purported video of former Madhya Pradesh minister and BJP legislator Vijay Shah enjoying a “picnic party” in Satpura Tiger Reserve (STR) in Madhya Pradesh went viral, triggering a controversy among the officials.

The videos purportedly shot by Shah, show forest guards cooking chicken on an earthen stove, and Shah refers to it as the ‘best picnic.’

Following the incident, activist Ajay Dubey has filed a complaint accusing the former legislator of organising an event in the reserve and cooking food.

An investigation based on the complaint has been initiated by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Aseem Srivastava.

Dubey's complaint highlights that forest department officers transported Shah to Rorighat Siddh Baba Hill, where a fire was lit to prepare food, a violation of rules prohibiting parties in the reserve area.

The activist further alleges negligence, stating that Vijay and his friends ventured into a restricted tiger area, accompanied by a few forest department vehicles parked near the big cat, which according to Dubey, is a “serious violation of wildlife protection laws,” and he underscores the rampant tiger poaching in the state, calling for strict action.