Tiger reserves in Raj received 30.59cr from Centre in 3 yrs

Jaipur: In the past three years, tiger reserves of Rajasthan under the ongoing centrally sponsored scheme of Project Tiger have received funds of Rs 30.59 crore for management. Out of three reserves, Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) received the lion’s share of Rs 12.89 crore. Similarly, Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR), which houses highest number of tiger population received Rs 9.24 crore. The Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR), where country’s third tiger reintroduction debacle occurred also received Rs 8.39 crore since 2019-2020.
The figure was given by the Centre in response to a question raised by Jhalawar-Baran MP Dushyant Singh in Lok Sabha. The reply reads, ‘Funding assistance is provided under the ongoing centrally sponsored scheme of Project Tiger (CSS-PT) to tiger range states for conservation of tigers, raising awareness on tiger & other wildlife conservation, habitat management, protection, eco-development, human resource and infrastructure development, creation of fire lines and other fire protection measures.’
While Ranthambore is self-sufficient to upgrade the manpower and infrastructure as reserve is amongst the highest revenue grossers in the country, the other two reserves continue to stare at a bleak future.
A forest official at Sariska said, “In Rajasthan due to faulty policies the funds received are not utilised in appropriate manner. The funds received are way too less and majority of portion is exhausted in paying salaries of home guards. There is no scope to carry out other works including habitat improvement with the limited funds. Like Ranthambore, the park has negligible earnings from tourism and state government is also not interested to provide funds to develop monitoring and more safari routes.”
Green activists also questioned the expenditure in Mukundra as nothing is visible on the ground. “Since 2020 there is only one tigress, MT-4 in the reserve. The big cat was kept in the enclosure and staff was reduced to half. At present, out of six ranges, four are without rangers. It’s surprising, where the money is being spent,” said Devvart Singh Hada , a green activist.