Rs185 crore central package for forest conservation in Assam

The Centre today announced a package of Rs185 crore for conservation of forest in Assam.

Inaugurating a night safari inside the Assam State Zoo cum Botanical garden here, Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh said the amount will be spent for conservation of the rich forest reserve of the state.
The minister also announced a sum of Rs50 crore for protection and development of Majuli, Asia’s larget river island in Upper Assam.
Complimenting the forest department for recruiting new staff, particularly women, Ramesh said during his visit to the Kaziranga national park tomorrow he will interact with them.
The minister pointed out that the majority of the forest field staff were above 50 years of age which would hamper them from protecting the forest in a proper manner.
He emphasised the need to recruit the local youth as forest field staff and urged the state government to make the villagers living in the fringe areas of the forest as partners in the conservation drive.

April 4th 2010