BARIPADA: The Simlipal Tiger Reserve (STR), on the lines of the Corbett, Ranthambhore and Bandipur tiger reserves, has launched the Simlipal Tiger Conservation Foundation (STCF) in a bid to give a boost to tiger conservation and define a niche for the rare animal in the reserve, HS Upadhaya, STR field director said.
The foundation shall be an autonomous body that will facilitate and support tiger conservation and protect the biodiversity of its habitat in Simlipal. It will also take initiatives in eco-development with the active involvement of forest fringe dwellers in the development process, Upadhaya added.
The STCF has been registered under the Registration of Societies Act, 1860 and was approved by the additional registrar of societies on Wednesday. It shall have operational jurisdiction over the STR, which encompasses a total area of 2,750 sq km, and its adjoining landscape with possible corridor value for dispersal of wild animals from the tiger reserve, sources at STR said.
The foundation will use funds from income generated by levying entry fee on tourists besides contributions from other sources in terms of specific projects from national as well as international agencies as permitted by law. It will also use grants received from internal agencies, grants-in-aid, donations or assistance of any kind from any individual or organization, including foreign governments and other external agencies as permitted by law, sources added.
The governing body of the foundation has been constituted with the state's forest and environment minister, Debi Prasad Mishra, as president, the principal secretary of forests and environment, Aurobindo Behera, as vice-president, and the principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) who is also the CWLW (chief wildlife warden), Orissa as member-secretary.
Other members of the governing body include the principal chief conservator of forests (general) Orissa, the field director and deputy director of the STR, two prominent scientists or experts in the field to be nominated by the government, the Jashipur (Mayurbhanj) MLA and the chairperson of zilla parishad, Mayurbhanj and two members of the executive committee of the foundation.
Tigers, elephants, bisons and the unique four-horned chowsinghas are among the larger denizens of Simlipal, while the toothless long-tongued scaly ant-eater, the pangolin, is among the smaller ones. The black Royal Bengal Tiger is yet another important attraction for the visitors as well as researchers visiting the reserve, sources said.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/developmental-issues/simlipal-launches-foundation-to-boost-tiger-conservation/articleshow/9017280.cms
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