Rs 1.19 cr for Assam's wildlife sanctuaries

GUWAHATI, Dec 19 – Worried over the shrinking forest cover and growing incidents of elephant depredation, the Centre has released Rs 1.19 crore for the state forest department. The fund has been released in order to develop the national parks and sanctuaries scattered in various places of the State. According to official sources, Rs 54.25 lakh has been released for maintenance and development of national parks and sanctuaries while Rs 69.70 lakh has been allotted for Project Elephant. The State has been witnessing a series of elephant depredation problems for the last several years due to the dwindling forest land. To overcome the menace, the state forest and wildlife department had submitted a proposal to the Centre and the latter sanctioned Rs 1.08 crore. Talking to this correspondent, the Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF), Wildlife department, Sri Sonadhar Doley informed that Panidihing, Laokhowa and Kaziranga had been selected for development of forest area. “We are planning to improve the habitat of the animals,” the CCF said. In this context, he informed that a mega plan has been chalked out especially for the Kaziranga National Park, which includes development of forest area for the animals. “The State Government is likely to submit its proposal to avail of the second instalment from the Centre,” he added. Throwing more light on Project Elephant, the CCF said that under this project, the wildlife department has decided to improve the habitat of elephants which would reduce the depredation problem. “Moreover US Fish and Life, a US agency has donated funds for the State which would be spent in Digboi, Dibrugarh and Kaziranga to contain the elephant depredation problem,” Doley informed. He further stated that the department would hold seminars to create awareness among the masses to save flora and fauna.