New Delhi:
Giving a boost to tiger conservation in the country, the government on Thursday gave an in-principle go-ahead for five new tiger reserves across the country. (
Also See: NDTV's Save Our Tigers campaign)In a move to decentralize and strengthen the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), it has also been decided to set up three regional offices of the NTCA in Nagpur, Guwahati and Bangalore.
The government has also approved the creation of four posts in the rank of Inspector General of Forests for the three regional offices and headquarters of the NTCA.
The decision approved by the Union Cabinet would benefit all the 39 tiger reserves falling in 17 tiger range states. The decision is expected to lead to close monitoring at the regional level resulting in strengthened tiger conservation.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh welcomed the decision. "This is a great step forward. There was a crying need for decentralisation so that we can enhance the monitoring of our conservation efforts and improve the quality and timeliness of support we give the field directors of our 39 tiger reserves across the country," the minister said.
"There is no doubt that the decision will strengthen the capacity of the NTCA to deliver on its mandate, and provide new teeth to our tiger conservation efforts," Ramesh added. (With PTI Inputs)