The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : YSR expresses concern over decline in wildlife

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

YSR expresses concern over decline in wildlife

Special Correspondent

Inaugurates Southern States Forests Ministers’ Conference

Calls for intensive forestry to protect flora and fauna
Public-private partnership to increase tree cover

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy has expressed concern over the dwindling wildlife population and called for taking up intensive forestry as part of promoting bio-conservation and protecting flora and fauna.

Inaugurating a two-day Southern States Forests Ministers’ Conference here on Saturday, he said though tree cover was growing in spite of the pressures of human population due to the efforts of various governments, a major problem would be that of wildlife. The way it was dwindling was a matter of concern for everyone.

Dr. Reddy suggested public-private partnership (PPP) to be adopted for increasing the tree cover. The land to private entrepreneurs could be given through the respective Forest Development Corporations and there could be sharing between the two organisations.

Having more tree cover would also help combat CO{-2} emissions. He wanted the best practices to be implemented by all the States.

Eco-tourism

Minister for Forests and Environment S. Vijayarama Raju said that for the first time in the country, eco-tourism projects on forest lands were taken under PPP mode attracting private investment to the tune of Rs.100 crore.

There was a need to institutionalise PPP method to promote tree cover, eco-restoration and eco-tourism in forest lands. He urged the Centre not to notify red sanders under the VI Schedule of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, as it was not acceptable in the interest of farmers who grow it on their lands.

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