The government has sanctioned Rs 33.60 crore for forest development and preservation under this year's annual plan from the Thirteenth Finance Commission’s grants-in-aid for the forest department.
The commission had sanctioned a sum of Rs 142.48 crore for the five year plan period. In the first two years, the government had sanctioned Rs 17.81 crore each. This year, the department has sanctioned Rs 2.01 crore for establishment of butterfly park in Tiruchi and providing a road train with traction facilities at Arignar Anna Zoological Park.
As per the new proposal of the principal chief conservator of forests, the department will sanction Rs 2.53 crore for fire management in sanctuaries, national parks and tiger reserves and the forest fringes. Another Rs 2.34 crore will be spent on strengthening of joint forest management institutions which are essential for conservation of wildlife habitat.
As catchment area management was key to the survival of rivers, the department has sanctioned Rs 4.57 crore for improving on the 83 catchment areas in the state. About 1.90 crore has been earmarked for providing water holes for wildlife and Rs 1.65 crore for providing elephant proof trenches in man-animal conflict prone zones.
About Rs 14.50 crore have been allocated for improvement and maintenance of buildings in the forest department and roads.
About Rs 50 lakh will be spent on construction of eight anti-poaching sheds-cum-watch towers and 11 anti-poaching camps.
It was granted under annual plan from 13th Finance Commission’s grants-in-aid
