Periyar Tiger Reserve bags the NTCA Award

The Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala has been awarded with National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) award for encouraging local public participation in managing the reserve. According to the report, more than 75 communities are living around the reserve, which includes tribal people, who are dependent on Government’s eco-development programmes. The Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamilnadu has been awarded for best communication strategy.

The India Eco-development Project (IEDP) was approved in 1996 and framed a new strategy, which encouraged a healthy partnership between the Forest Department staff and local community people for the responsible use of forest resources.

Knowledge is Wealth

• India has the largest tiger population in the world. 
• According to the report released on January 2015, Tiger population in India is 2,226, a rise of 30.5% since the last estimate four years ago. 
• The current Minister of Environment, Forests& Climate Change is Prakash Javadekar.
• The NTCA is a statutory body performing functions as provided in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Project Tiger – An initiative for conserving India’s national animal was launched in 1973.