Centre acts fast on relocation - Funds released for Ranthambore and Manas

Just a month after Rajasthan and Assam signed the tripartite agreement with centre, funds have been cleared for relocation of villagers living in and around the tiger reserves in the two states. According to reports in TOI and Assam Tribune, Ranthambore is set to get a sum of over 100 crs and Manas Nattional park in Assam another 6.5 Crs. Humans living in and around tiger reserves has been cited as the biggest reason for decline in forest cover and wild animal numbers. With poachers getting easy shelter and know how from these communities and villagers themselves sometimes poisoning wild animals to save their cattle, moving human settlements out of sanctuaries has become top priority for conservationists. The new minister MOEF having recognizing the gravity of the problem has moved swiftly and has within months of taking over streamlined the system to ensure money is no more an obstacle and adequate legal provisions are in place to prevent misuse of funds. With these two states taking the lead hopefully other states like MP, Karnataka, Kerala and Uttarakhand will follow.

Rs 104 crore grant for Ranthambore

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/jaipur/Rs-104-crore-grant-for-Ranthambore/articleshow/5079246.cms

Move to relocate human settlement

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=oct0209/at08