Question : NATIONAL PARKS

(a) the total number of Wildlife Parks and Zoos in the country;

(b) whether the Central Government proposes to provide financial assistance for development and upkeep of the said parks and zoos in the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof, State-wise during the Eleventh Five Year Plan period;

(d) the total amount spent for maintenance of said parks and zoos during the said period, project-wise and State-wise; and

(e) the future action plan prepared by the Government including development of parks and zoos in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRIMATI JAYANTHI NATARAJAN)

(a) There are 668 Protected Areas (including 102 National Parks, 515 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 47 Conservation Reserves, 4 Community Reserves) and 198 Zoos including 23 circuses in the country.

(b)&(c) Financial assistance for development and upkeep of Protected Areas is provided under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats’ and ‘Project Tiger’. Financial assistance to Zoos is provided by the Central Zoo Authority. State-wise details of funds released during the Eleventh Five Year Plan Period to Protected Areas and Zoos are given at Annexure –I , II and III.

(d) State-wise and project-wise details of amount spent for maintenance of Protected Areas and Zoos during the Eleventh Five Year Plan Period is at Annexure –IV, V and VI.

(e) The Ministry has modified the existing Centrally Sponsored Schemes by adding more components and activities for providing better protection and conservation to wildlife and its habitats. For the protection and improvement of zoos across the country, the Central Zoo Authority has formulated detailed guidelines for the scientific management of zoos for adoption and implementation by the zoo operators.