India to set up eight new tiger reserves

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs will set up eight new tiger reserves in India during the 11th Five Year Plan at an estimated cost of Rs 320 million.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Wednesday decided to set up eight new tiger reserves in India during the 11th Five Year Plan at an estimated cost of Rs 320 million.

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Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram told reporters after the CCEA meeting that the new tiger reserves would be developed in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Orissa, Karnataka, Assam and Madhya Pradesh.

It was one of the recommendations of the Tiger Task Force constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, following the depletion of the tiger population in India.

Chidambaram said the CCEA in all approved Rs 600 crore (six billion) for taking up the preservation of tigers, rehabilitating the people from the core area and other safeguard related activities.

"Rs 508 crore (5.08 billion) out of Rs 600 crore (six billion) would be spent on the relocation of villages from the core area," he said.