CONSERVATION TRUSTS TO SAVE TIGERS FORMED
The trust is intended to govern Mudumalai, Anamalai and Kalakad
Mundanthurai reserves. The trust is autonomous; so they can frame their own
policy relevant to the habitat”
Mudumalai, Anamalai and Kalakad Mundanthurai tiger reserves will hereafter
be governed by Tiger Conservation Trusts which were formed on Tuesday.
Formation of the trusts will enable the three tiger reserves in the
State to function on its own with a certain degree of autonomy and plough back
funds generated through gate collection, guest house rents and tourism
activities for managing the habitat and its biodiversity. The decision to form
trusts for the three tiger reserves was approved at the first meeting of the
governing body of the Tiger Conservation Foundation chaired by State Forest
Minister N. Several at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
According to forest officials, the trusts can raise funds and receive
donations from different sources like corporate sector, business houses and
individuals. The funds will be used for better management of the area and for
implementing eco-development related programmes, besides helping those living
in the fringes.
Till now, both the revenue generated and funds received from the Central and State governments were deposited in the Government treasury. Hereafter, the Trusts can directly receive funds, which will be deposited in the trust account. The Forest Minister will be the Chairman of the governing body; Secretary, Environment and Forests will be the Vice-Chairman and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden will be the Member Secretary in the Governing body. Apart from the officials and the Minister the body also has an eminent scientist, a non-governmental organisation, local MLAs and Panchayat Chairman as its members. It will be a two-tier system with checks and balances. The Centre and State governments will continue to fund the tiger reserves. The State government will take care of the salaries of staff in the tiger reserves and recurring expenditure. “The State will have more stake and more say,” said a senior forest official.
