Karkala : Re-evaluate and protect deemed forest area - Minister Rai

Mangalore Today News Network

Karkala, Oct 03, 2015:  Speaking after inaugurating the 61st ’wildlife Week’ organised by the Kudremukh Wildlife Division, Minister for Forest and Ecology Ramanath Rai said, the government has introduced several promotional schemes to conserve wildlife in the State.

He went on to say that National wildlife Board has given its consent for the setting up of new wildlife Sanctuary at Jogibetta in Chitradurga. The new one will increase the number of wildlife sanctuaries in the State to six.  The government in its attempt to save its wildlife has introduced stringent measures. The State which has the highest number of tigers (400 above) and elephants (6000 above) has taken up measures to protect animals from being disturbed in their natural habitat.

Nature camps will be held for nearly 10,000 school children to create awareness about nature and the wild animals. They will be taken to the forests and will be exposed to the forest life. The government has sent a report to the Centre on eco-sensitive zones in the State. The report specifies 10 km default in and around wildlife sanctuaries.

The Minister informed that the Forest Department in collaboration with the Department of Revenue has taken up the survey to re-evaluate the deemed forest area in the State. The verification work will be taken up across the State and the report will be submitted to the Supreme Court shortly.

The State government offers matching grant to the amount spent by the farmers on solar equipment to check wild animal menace. The frontline workers in the Forest Department and the forest guards are taken care of by the government. The State government has decided to hike the payments of the forest guards.

Government has sent report regarding the recommendations made in the Kasturi Rangan report. But the central government has not approved the report. The land identified as eco-sensitive area was reduced to 13108 square kilometres as against the earlier identification of 20668 square kilometres.

The Minister reiterated that people should be aware of the importance of wildlife and forest area and try to conserve them.