Govt doubles allocation for tiger conservation

Conservation of the big cats continues to remain a priority for the government which has doubled the budgetary allocation for the Tiger Project to Rs 184 crore (Rs 1.84 billion) in 2009-10 from Rs 72 crore (Rs 720 million) in 2008-09.

Tiger Project is an autonomous body entrusted with the task to protect and conserve the royal predators whose number has dwindled to 1,411 across the country as per the latest estimate.

Besides, the government has alloted Rs 562 crore (Rs 5.62 billion) for cleaning and conserving rivers and lakes in the country. The amount for the purpose last year was Rs 335 crore (Rs 3.35 billion).

"Budgetary allocation under National River and Lake Conservation Plans to be Rs 562 crore in 2009-10 from Rs 335 crore (Rs 3.35 billion) in 2008-09," Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in his Budget speech in the Lok Sabha.

The overall funding for the ministry of environment and forests has been increased from Rs 1,707 crore (Rs 17.07 billion) in 2008-09 to Rs 2129 crore (Rs 21.29 billion) in 2009-10.

Mukherjee said the government has already approved the notification for setting up the Ganga River Basin Authority for comprehensive management of the basin.

The setting up of the authority aims to help replace the current piecemeal efforts to clean up the Ganga with an integrated approach that sees the river as an ecological entity.

The finance minister announced a special one-time grant of Rs 100 crore (Rs 1 billion) to the Dehradun-based Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education in recognition of its excellence in the field of research, education and extension.

He also proposed an allocation of Rs 15 crore (Rs 150 million) each for the Botanical Survey of India, Geological Survey of India and Geological Survey of India for research and study in their respective fields.

The budgetary allocation for forestry and wildlife departments has been increased from Rs 804.45 crore (Rs 8.04 billion) to Rs 921 crore (Rs 9.21 billion) while funding under the head of prevention and control of pollution has been enhanced from Rs 477.67 crore (Rs 4.77 billion) to Rs 709.23 crore (Rs 7.09 billion).