Question : TIGER RESERVES

(a) whether the number of tigers in the country has increased after the public awakening drive launched by media;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to launch similar public awakening drives to save other forest animals like lion, leopard and bear etc.;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) the names of tiger reserves in the country, State-wise;

(f) whether the Government has any proposal to develop new tiger reserves in the country; and

(g) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI JAIRAM RAMESH)

(a), (b), (c) & (d) While no such categorical inference can be drawn, funding support under the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger is provided to States, which interalia, includes initiatives for fostering awareness towards tiger / wildlife conservation in and around tiger reserves.

(e) The list of tiger reserves in the country is at Annexure-I.

(f) & (g) The “in-principle” approval has been accorded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority for creation of five new tiger reserves, and the sites are: Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple Sanctuary (Karnataka), Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh), Ratapani (Madhya Pradesh) and Sunabeda (Orissa) and Mukundara Hills (including Darrah, Jawahar Sagar and Chambal Wildlife Sanctuaries) (Rajasthan). Besides, the States have been advised to send proposals for declaring the following areas as Tiger Reserves:

(i) Bor (Maharashtra)

(ii) Suhelwa (Uttar Pradesh)

(iii) Nagzira-Navegaon (Maharashtra)

(iv) Satyamangalam (Tamil Nadu)

(v) Kudremukh (Karnataka)