Project Tiger

Government Initiative

(a) A special co-ordination committee under the chairmanship of the Secretary (E&F) Govt. of India has been constituted which includes Special Secretary (Home), Director, Central Bureau of Investigation and Director, Narcotics Control Bureau.

(b) CBI has been empowered for investigation of wildlife offence cases and a notification in this respect has been issued.

(c) Better coordination has been maintained with NGOs regarding wildlife offences and information is exchanged with them.

(d) A National Conference of Forests & Environment Ministers of State Governments was held in January 2001, and a resolution known as "Coimbatore Charter" was adopted. The resolution on forest and wildlife includes providing compensation against wildlife depredation, filling up the vacancies of forest department and reorganizing field formations, providing effective enforcement infrastructure in the field and to designate special courts for wildlife offences.

(e) Secretary (E&F) Govt. of India has taken meetings with State Chief Secretaries regarding better protection of wildlife and providing improved infrastructure to the field staff.

(f) Special trainings for intelligence gathering have been organised for wildlife officers at the Sardar Vallabhai Patel Police Academy, Hyderabad.

(g) Meetings with Principal Secretaries (Forests) and the Chief Wildlife Wardens of States are held regularly in the Ministry to discuss matters relating to wildlife conservation and prevention of illegal trade in wildlife and their derivatives.

Other initiatives include:
• Training programmes and Workshops have been organized to sensitize Govt. departments to be proactive in control of trade and preventing smuggling of wildlife products.

• Central assistance is being provided to State Governments to strengthen the protection infrastructure including armed squads, vehicles, communication network and co-ordination between the Park managers.

• Schemes for awards and rewards for outstanding performance and acts of valour have been introduced to encourage detection and reporting. The State Governments have been advised to strengthen vigilance and intensify patrolling, apart from organising training and workshops for various enforcement agencies to ensure effective intelligence gathering and law enforcement.

• To control transboundary trade, a protocol has been signed with Peoples' Republic of China and a MOU with His Majesty's Government of Nepal.

• A Forum of Tiger Range Countries, "Global Tiger Forum" has been created for addressing international issues related to tiger conservation.

• Launching of public awareness programme to involve Non-Governmental Organisations and others for supporting the Government in its efforts towards wildlife conservation.· Supporting programmes of Institutions and NGOs in exploring tiger-trade routes and developing a forensic identification reference Manual for tiger parts and products.

• Hon'ble Prime Minister has addressed all the Chief Ministers to give due importance to wildlife issues, and to upgrade the skills of staff both in respect of wildlife crime prevention and prosecution of offenders (March 29, 2001).

• A National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016) has been launched with action points and priority projects.
"A Wildlife Conservation Strategy 2002" has been launched by the Hon'ble Prime Minister on January 21, 2002 at the XXI meeting of the Indian Board for Wildlife.

• Funds are being provided to State Governments for eco-development of fringes to reduce the biotic pressure on Protected Areas under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme since VIII plan, which is ongoing as a merged component of "Project Tiger" and assistance for "Development of National Parks and Sanctuaries". An externally aided "India Eco development Project" has also been launched in seven states, covering 7 Protected Areas. This project has components for village ecodevelopment, improved PA management, education and awareness, impact monitoring and research.

• Provision for providing 100% Central Assistance to deploy strike force in sensitive areas.

• Providing 100% funding support for Project Allowance to frontline field staff of Tiger Reserves.