Delayed funds may hit tiger protection

Nagpur: At a time when tigers are facing increasing poaching threat, delay in release of funds from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a statutory body monitoring all tiger reserves in the country, is likely to affect conservation and protection works. Beginning January this year, 74 tigers have died in the country. Most of the deaths were due to poaching while several have been shrouded in mystery and reports are still awaited by the NTCA.
According to official sources, of the 49 tiger reserves, NTCA has till now released money to only six reserves under centrally-sponsored scheme (CSS) for ‘Project Tiger’. These include Kali (3.98 crore) and Biligiri Ranganatha Temple (2.78 crore) in Karnataka; Kanha ( 5.21 crore), Satpura ( 2.71 crore) and Pench (4.09 crore) in Madhya Pradesh and Anamalai ( 2.05 crore) in Tamil Nadu.
Interestingly, a senior NTCA official from Delhi told TOI, “There is no delay. Though information about release of funds to only 6 reserves has been uploaded on the website, till now 17 reserves have been allocated money.” However, of these 17 reserves, not a single reserve is in Maharashtra though proposals were sent to NTCA in March-April. Last year, NTCA had released funds in May.
The wildlife wing through annual plan of operations (APOs) has sought 154.41 crore for six reserves in the state for various conservation and protection works.
Ironically, not just NTCA funds, not a single sanctuary in Maharashtra has received money despite the state seeking 13.61 crore from the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC), which funds sanctuaries.
The issue holds significance as Maharashtra has 10,068.451 sqkm area under protected area network (national parks, wildlife sanctuaries & reserves) which is 3.27% of its geographical area.
The state has 58 protected areas that includes six national parks, 48 sanctuaries and four conservation reserves. It has six tiger reserves — Tadoba-Andhari, Melghat, Pench, Navegaon-Nagzira, Sahyadri and Bor.
Wildlife officials, worried over the delay, said non-payment of salary to van majoors and Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) personnel for long will hit protection, especially when poaching threat increases manifold during monsoon. It will also hit other conservation works.
However, NTCA official dispelled the fears saying, “The states should be innovative. It is for this reason only that we have set up Tiger Conservation Foundations (TCFs) by all reserves after amending the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Field directors can utilize funds from the TCF for now and make adjustments after the NTCA grant is released.” “Despite states not submitting their tiger conservation plans (TCPs), we are still releasing the grants,” he added.
Shree Bhagwan, state’s principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), says he was in Delhi for a follow-up of the issue. “I don’t see any problem and no field director has apprised me about it. We are expected get more funds this time as compared to last year,” said Bhagwan.
However, the fact is that since last year funds from the Centre are being released under 60:40 ratio. Unless NTCA releases funds, state doesn’t follow suit. Hence, delay in NTCA funds would mean delay in receiving state’s share too.
“Interestingly, there are lot of hassles in receiving money. Once NTCA releases funds, the state comes out with a separate GR for that which takes a long time. If central funds come next month (July), money will be deposited in PA’s accounts in August or September,” said sources.
Six Reserves Proposals
Reserve Proposed
Tadoba: Rs11.12 cr
Pench: Rs9.93 cr
NNTR: Rs16.56 cr
MTR: Rs78.30 cr
Sahyadri: Rs6.92 cr
Sanctuaries: Rs13.61 cr
Project Elephant: Rs70 lakh