Backgrounder
Central Assistance to the States for Protection and Management of National Parks and Sanctuaries is provided under three main schemes:
Development of National Park and SanctuariesProject TigerProject ElephantDevelopment of National Parks and Sanctuaries
The main objective of the schemes is to assist the States in the development of National Parks and Sanctuaries through to financial assistance and facilitate expanding the protected area network. The scheme also helps the states to create infrastructural facilities for better protection and management of these protected areas. Financial assistance provided to States. The states were provided financial assistance to the tune of Rs 181.12 crores for the period of 2002-2006.
Project Tiger
The Project Tiger was launched on 1st April, 1973 on the recommendation of special task forces of the Indian board for Wildlife with the following objectives:
a) to ensure the maintenance of viable population of tigers in India for scientific economic, aesthetic, cultural and ecological values;
b) to preserve, for all times, areas of such biological importance as a national heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the people; and
c) to increase the tiger population to optimum levels by the improvement of the biotope and simulation of its diversity according to sound principles of conservation.
Right now, there are 36 Tiger Reserves in the country where 4 new Reserves have been declared this year. The project is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. The States receive 100% financial assistance for non-recurring items and 50% assistance for recurring items.The states were given more than Rs 120 crore during 2002- 2006.
Project Elephant
There are only 17 states in which elephants exist in the wild state. Project Elephant has declared 24 elephant reserves in 12 states to protect elephant populations in the wild and develop their habitat. It was launched in the year 91-92 as a sequel to a series of efforts to conserve this magnificent species covering primarily twelve states of India, namely Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Orissa, Tamilnadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The financial assistance provided to the states under the scheme is Rs 47 crore during 2002- 2006.
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KP/DT