The Government of India has released Rs 10.28 crore for Tiger Conservation in Palamu Tiger Reserves of Jharkhand under ‘Project Tiger’ in the last three years. The Palamu Tiger Reserve was allocated and got Rs 3.23 Cr in 2016-17, Rs 3.38 Cr in 2017-18 and Rs 3.67 Cr in 2018-19 for conservation of tigers in the State. The Government has released total Rs 1010.41 crore in last three years to different tiger serves in the country under this project. Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Babul Supriyo informed the Rajya Sabha on June 24, 2019 while replying a question by Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani.

The Minister also provided information about the initiatives taken by the Government under the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats of which Project Tiger is a part. He said that the government has stepped up the protection by deploying anti poaching squad/Tiger Protection Force and strengthen infrastructure within Tiger Reserves.

Nathwani wanted to know about the steps being taken by Government for conservation of the tigers, amount of budget allocated and released by the Central Government for conservation of the tigers under ‘Project Tiger’ during the last three years and whether Government is mulling over opening up the modern and world class diagnostic facilities for the tigers.

The Minister stated that modern, world class diagnostic facilities for tigers are established subject to their site-specific approval in the legally mandated Tiger Conservation Plan, on receipt of a proposal from the States.

The Government is deciding inviolate spaces for wildlife and relocation of villagers from core or critical tiger habitats in Tiger Reserves within a timeframe and settlement of rights and co-existence agenda in buffer or fringe areas, stated the Minister.