Ministry allocates funds for tiger, elephant habitat protection

NEW DELHI: In a major push for wildlife conservation and habitat protection, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has allocated substantial financial assistance to various States and Union Territories (UTs) under the Centrally Sponsored Umbrella Scheme ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat’. This funding aims to bolster efforts in preserving critical wildlife habitats and managing human-wildlife conflicts.

 

The scheme includes two significant initiatives, which are the ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’ and ‘Project Tiger and Elephant’. These initiatives focus on the conservation of crucial habitats for tigers and elephants, ensuring the protection of these endangered species while addressing the growing challenges of human-wildlife interactions.

 

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Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, provided this information in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. The funds are expected to enhance India’s commitment to preserving its rich biodiversity and promoting sustainable coexistence between wildlife and local communities.

 

For the current financial year (2024-25), the following funds have been allocated to various States and UTs, as of December 11, 2024:

 

Funds Released Under ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’

Sl. No. State/UT Funds Released (₹ in Lakhs)

1. Arunachal Pradesh 696.55

2. Assam 1234.46

3 Chhattisgarh 135.58

4 Goa 66.44

5 Haryana 116.49

6 Himachal Pradesh 172.31

7 Jammu & Kashmir 73.97

8 Jharkhand 71.94

9 Karnataka 800.82

10 Kerala 909.64

11 Madhya Pradesh 486.77

12 Maharashtra 622.07

13 Manipur 261.71

14 Meghalaya 389.59

15 Mizoram 344.32

16 Nagaland 1044.06

17 Odisha 882.50

18 Sikkim 221.17

19 Tamil Nadu 661.78

20 Uttar Pradesh 393.87

21 Uttarakhand 652.24

22 Lakshadweep 217.18

Grand Total: ₹ 10,455.46 Lakhs

 

Funds Released Under ‘Project Tiger and Elephant’

Sl. No. State/UT Funds Released (₹ in Lakhs)

1 Andhra Pradesh 365.13

2 Arunachal Pradesh 629.11

3 Assam 2043.60

4 Bihar 126.14

5 Chhattisgarh 181.58

6 Haryana 20.40

7 Jharkhand 363.78

8 Karnataka 783.07

9 Kerala 221.37

10 Madhya Pradesh 2213.97

11 Maharashtra 1726.12

12 Manipur 14.62

13 Meghalaya 29.70

14 Mizoram 247.92

15 Nagaland 231.14

16 Odisha 563.40

17 Rajasthan 228.47

18 Tamil Nadu 1450.53

19 Telangana 291.68

20 Tripura 10.99

21 Uttarakhand 1207.53

22 Uttar Pradesh 1381.25

23 West Bengal 425.95

Grand Total: ₹ 14,757.48 Lakhs

 

The financial support will significantly aid in the management of human-wildlife conflicts across the nation. These funds will facilitate various measures, including habitat restoration, anti-poaching activities, and community engagement programs. By mitigating conflicts, the initiative aims to create a harmonious balance between wildlife conservation and human activities.