JAIPUR: In a major boost to tiger conservation, chief minister Ashok Gehlot announced developing the area connecting Ranthambore National Park to Mukundra sanctuary as a corridor. The area is frequently used by straying tigers of Ranthambore and developing it would give the big cats a safer passage.
Even the Mukundra sanctuary, which already got an in-principle nod from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) as a tiger reserve during the recent visit of director Rajesh Gopal, will be developed during this year. The government will shortly be preparing a project report for the same.
"The United Nations is observing year 2011 as International Year of Forests and we are duty bound to follow the footsteps. Throughout the year, various projects will be undertaken for developing sanctuaries besides addressing issues of global warming," Gehlot said.
He also announced using grants to the tune of Rs 1,153 crore from the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) for implementing the Rajasthan Forestry and Bio-diversity Project (RFBP) in select areas of the state over a period of eight years between 2011 and 2019. The areas include 10 districts that have deserts in them, five districts without deserts and seven wildlife reserves.
Under the project, afforestation and bio-diversity conservation and soil and water conservation work will be done. Besides, poverty elimination and livelihood schemes will also be undertaken in 650 villages in these areas. Sundamata in Jhalore and Gura-Bishnoi in Jodhpur will also be developed as eco-tourism centres under the project.
Four treatment and rehabilitation centres for wild animals would also be established in Bikaner, Jodhpur and Nagaur. The centres will be developed using Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds.
After the recent incident at Ranthambore where tourism minister Bina Kak had to intervene to save tiger T-5 which had a deep wound on its body, the need for a mobile rescue van for the forest was being felt. Addressing the issue, Gehlot has made provisions in his budget for a mobile rescue van and two veterinarians in the park in case of any eventualities.
Besides, the state will also be giving Rs 1,000 to each of the 5,000 families staying inside the Ranthambore reserve for an LPG connection. The move is aimed at keeping away these families from felling trees for fire wood.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Ranthambore-Mukundra-corridor-in-the-offing/articleshow/7667203.cms
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