(a) the details of forest areas identified for tiger reserves in the country, State/UT-wise;
(b) whether the Government has received any proposal from Chhattisgarh for including Achanakmar Forest under tiger reserve;
(c) if so, the details and present status thereof; and
(d) the number of villages likely to be relocated and number of people likely to be displaced in this regard along with the compensation worked out and the time by which it is likely to be paid to the displaced families?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)
(a) In-principle approval has been accorded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority for creation of new tiger reserves at Ratapani (Madhya Pradesh), Sunabeda (Odisha) and Guru Ghasidas (Chhattisgarh). Further, the State Governments have been advised to send proposals for declaring tiger reserves at (i) Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary (Uttar Pradesh), (ii) Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (Goa), (iii) Srivilliputhur Grizzled Giant Squirrel / Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuaries / Varushanadu Valley (Tamil Nadu), (iv) Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary (Arunachal Pradesh), (v) Cauveri-MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary (Karnataka) and (vi) Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary (Uttarakhand).
(b) & (c)Achanakmar has already been notified as tiger reserve on 6th March, 2009. It has 626.195 sq.km. area under core/critical tiger habitat and 287.822 sq.km. area under buffer.
(d)Village relocation from core/critical area of tiger reserve is a voluntary activity which is funded under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger and is based on proposal received from tiger range state and subject to fulfillment of stipulated formalities and due diligence. There are 19 villages in core/critical tiger habitat area of Achanakmar Tiger Reserve. Exact number of villages to be relocated cannot be predicted as village relocation is a voluntary process.
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