Guwahati: Inadequate provision of funds, non-release of funds by both the Central and Assam governments and diversion of emergency assistance under the World Heritage Fund sanctioned by the UNESCO to an NGO without government sanction and irregularities in procurement of wireless communication gadgets affected conservation efforts under Project Tiger in Assam's two tiger reserves — the Manas National Park and the Nameri National Park.

This was revealed in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) tabled in the Assam Assembly in the ongoing budget session. The report revealed that against the approved outlay of Rs. 10.59 crore (Central share of Rs. 8.23 crore and State share of Rs. 2.36 crore) only Rs. 3.30 crore (16 per cent) was released for the two tiger reserves during 2001-06.

Project Tiger

While both the Centre and the State Government did not ensure adequate funding under the Project Tiger scheme, inaction on the part of the State Government resulted in a strike force, for preventing poaching of tiger and other animals of the Manas National Park, not being set up.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail