Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has formed ‘Similipal Tiger Conservation Foundation (STCF)’ as mandated by the National Tiger Conservation Authority with the objective of inclusive development of wildlife habitats with specific focus on tiger.

Forest and environment minister Debi Prasad Mishra is the chairman of the newly constituted Similipal Tiger Conservation Foundation. Mishra said the first meeting of the Similipal Tiger Conservation Foundation is scheduled to be held on June 28 next.
 
Wildlife experts of national repute, local MLAs, MPs and senior officials of the forests and environment department like chief wildlife warden, field director of Similipal Tiger Reserve, district collector and SP of Mayrubhanaj figure in the newly-formed body for the conservation of tigers.

He said Qumar Quraishi, tiger expert of the Wildlife Institute of India, Dheradun, Easha, scientist of Keala Forest Research Institute, Tirture, who is basically an expert on elephant are the members.

Mishra said since the National Tiger Conservation Authority has declared the Satkosia Gorge Sanctuary as the second tiger reserve of Odisha, the State Government is also on the job to constitute another ‘Tiger Conservation Foundation’ for Satkosia.

The proposed Satkosia Tiger Conservation Foundation is likely to be constituted in the next two months, he said. Mishra said as per the funding pattern of the Satkosia Tiger Reserve, the recurring expenditure of the scheme is being shared equally by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the Centre and the state government and 100 per cent non-recurring expenditure is borne by the Centre.

Accordingly, about Rs 5 crore has been provided towards Central share for implementation of the STR under special component plan during the 2012-13 fiscal.

Stating that the recurring cost planned for the Similipal Tiger Reserve has been estimated at Rs 3.30 crore for utilisation on habitat management, fire protection, prevention of Akhand Shikar, water facility, training and research and compassionate payment, the minister said the state government has already provided 50 per cent of the requirement.