(IN): Compensation for shift from tiger reserve

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Compensation for shift from tiger reserve

 

Press Trust Of India

Saturday, September 8, 2007 (New Delhi)

With an aim to encourage villagers to move out from the core areas of the

28 tiger reserves across the country, the Government is planning to enhance

the compensation for relocation from Rupees One lakh to Rupees 10 lakh.

 

''The idea is to save the tigers in the reserve areas where presently 40,000

families are living in 273 villages.

 

''The compensation has been enhanced (in the proposal) with a view to give a

better deal to them as they move out from tiger habitats,'' said an official

from the Environment Ministry.

 

The entire process will cost the government a whooping Rupees 4,800 crore, a

proposal which has been submitted to the Planning Commission for its

approval for inclusion in the 11th Five Year Plan.

 

The three-fold relocation and livelihood package will be implemented in the

next five years under the supervision of the National Tiger Conservation

Authority, the official said.

 

Though the results of the latest tiger census in the country will be

declared by the end of this year, officials admit that the population of the

big cat has dwindled over the years.

 

''The tiger estimation figures relating to four states, Rajasthan,

Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra indicate a decline in tiger

population in areas outside tiger reserves and protected areas,'' the

official said.

 

According to an unofficial estimate, the tiger population presently hovers

between 1,300 and 1,500, a decline from 3,642 in 2001.

 

 

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