MPTF gets Rs 97.65 lakh for tiger conservation

BHOPAL: The Wildlife Conservation Trust, Mumbai, has allocated Rs 97.65 lakh fund to Madhya Pradesh Tiger Foundation (MPTF) for strengthening basic infrastructure at Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench Tiger reserves.

Besides, Rs 20 lakh has been provided for gathering intelligence about poachers, imparting training and rewarding forest employees engaged in protecting the big cat population in the three tiger reserves, minister of state for forests Rajendra Shukla said in a statement.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Trust and MPTF in this regard, he said, adding Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench Tiger reserves will be allocated Rs 45.13 lakh, Rs 28.78 lakh and Rs 23.74 lakh respectively.

The fund will be used to buy patrolling vehicles, among others things, to tighten security vigil in the three reserves, he said.