Bengal government lists achievements in wildlife

KOLKATA: In an official statement, Bengal government has listed its achievements in conservation of forest and wildlife, celebrating Wildlife day on December 8.

With help from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), a project of Rs 406 crore has been taken up to conserve forests and wildlife alongside taking up plans to put up 17 eco-tourism projects in North Bengal and three in South Bengal.

Under the supervision of WBWDCL (West Bengal Wasteland Development Corporation Ltd) tree plantation has also been carried out over 1260 acres.

The government has also taken up census of wild animals including those of rhinoceros, gaur (both in Gorumara National Park), Red Panda (Singalila National Park) and crocodile (in Sunderbans National Park).A Coastal Zone Management Project has been started in Purba Medinipur district with the assistance of the World Bank.

West Bengal Zoo Authority has become operational and 10 small zoos have been brought under its purview. The state government has also helped people in engaging in plucking and selling of kendu leaves. With a view to help such people with their livelihoods, the state government has increased the price at which they can sell the leaves from Rs 48 per chatta (contains 2000 leaves) to Rs 75 per chatta.