Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Tigers again get lion’s share of central grants

Tigers have once again got the lion’s share of conservation grants
AHMEDABAD: Tigers have once again got the lion’s share of conservation grants. The central government has released only Rs 23.16 crore for Asiatic lions over the past three years — grants for tigers are 4,000 times that of the lions. Moreover, lions have got just one-third of the budget for elephants.
Replying to a question from Rajya Sabha member Parimal Nathwani, the Union government stated that it has released Rs 75.86 crore for elephants and Rs 1010.69 crore for tigers over the past three years. The Centre said that it has, along with the Government of Gujarat, launched the Asiatic Lion Conservation Project with a budget of Rs 97.85 crore.
Nathwani had sought details of the steps being taken by the forest department for the conservation of lions and the budgets released for lions, tigers, and elephants over the past three years.
Union minister of state for environment Babul Supriyo said that the Union government released Rs 1.09 crore, Rs 2.24 crore, and Rs 19.83 crore in 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19 respectively for the conservation of lions. He said that the government released Rs 21.20 crore, Rs 24.90 crore, and Rs 29.76 crore for elephants; and Rs 342.25 crore, Rs 345 crore, and Rs 323.44 crore for tigers.
The minister said that the Gujarat government has taken legal, administrative, and financial steps for the protection of lions. He said that the Gujarat forest department has also declared Pania, Mitiyala, and Girnar as sanctuaries, bringing an additional area of 236.73km to lion habitat under the Wildlife (Protection), Act, 1972.
According to the statement of the minister, the Gujarat government has allocated Rs 231 crore over a period of five years for long-term lion conservation, with the main focus on reducing human-animal conflicts. The plan comprises a new rescue centre, rescue teams, a rapid response team, and the strengthening of protection and surveillance infrastructure.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/tigers-again-get-lions-share-of-central-grants/articleshow/70135216.cms

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