New Delhi: The cheetah that became extinct in independent India, is all set to return as the government today launched an action plan for the animal’s reintroduction at the 19th meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, here today.
Chairing the meeting, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav said that the Prime Minister was keen on protection and conservation of 7 major big cats including Cheetah. He said that 50 Cheetahs will be introduced in various national parks over a period of 5 years.
Without naming the raging controversy over tiger deaths this year reportedly attributed to poaching, the minister said that air gun problem in north eastern states was an issue and the ministry had advised States and Union Territories to organise awareness programme so that people surrendered their airguns.
He said since tiger continues to be an endangered species, the situation calls for adopting as well as active management. Accordig to him it was imperative to have reliable estimate of tiger number at tiger reserve and landscape level for effective management of tiger population.
Yadav highlighted the need for a vision plan to put tigers on assured path of recovery and conservation and suggested that six committees be formed so that they can visit two tiger reserves and study various aspects and problems to help in formulating better policy. He said the 5th cycle of All India Tiger Estimation which is currently underway will help in taking correct policy decision.
As part of effective regulation of tourism activity in the tiger reserves, the minister said that there should be one core area which should be sacrosanct and vehicular movement in the reserve being one way. “Tiger conservation efforts in the Indian context have the community at its centre, hence continuous efforts are being made for involvement of local communities in protection and eco-tourism activities,” he said.
There are 51 tiger reserves in the country and the minister said efforts were being made to bring more areas under tiger reserve network. The minister said that the tiger reserves were not just for tigers because more then 35 rivers originates from these areas which are crucial for water security.
The Minister also informed that today 14 Tiger Reserves have been accredited under CA|TS and NTCA is working on getting other Tiger Reserves evaluated for CA|TS accreditation.
– global bihari bureau
