Centre plans to increase Corbett Tiger Reserve area

Centre plans to increase Corbett Tiger Reserve area

Sunday, April 12, 2009 : 1515 Hrs

Dehra Dun (PTI): Amid growing concern over dwindling tiger population, the Centre is mulling to increase the area of the Corbett Tiger Reserve in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand for better preservation of the endangered wildcat.

Under the new plan, the Corbett Tiger Reserve would comprise 521 sq km Jim Corbett National Park, 301 sq km Sonanadi wildlife sanctuary and 466 sq km vast buffer areas of Landsdown and Ramnagar forest division to extend its area to 1,288 sq km, official sources said here on Sunday.

A high-level meeting of top officials, including Union Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekar, State Chief Secretary I K Pande and other forest officials, was held at Corbett National Park on Saturday to discuss over the modalities of the move.

The Corbett National Park, having a population of 165 tigers, is known for its highest tiger density population in the world.

State Chief Wildlife Warden S K Chandola, who was also present in the meeting, said that a consensus was emerged that before taking any decision on increasing the reserve area for tigers, consultations should be held with all the stakeholders and the inhabitants of the Ramnagar and Landsdown forest division.

The sources said the plan would be executed in two phases. In the first phase, consultations would be held to chalk out a concrete action plan that would be implemented in the second phase.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200904121480.htm

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