Law To Rescue Tigers !

New Delhi, Sep 7 (UNI) A new law paves the way for a National Tiger Conservation Authority, officials said today.

The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2006 came into effect from Monday, after it was passed by Parliament, approved by President APJ Abdul Kalam and notified in the Gazette.

The enactment provides for constitution of a national authority empowered to approve State governments' conservation plans and set norms for tiger conservation in ''buffer and core areas of tiger reserves.'' The Authority would disseminate information on tiger protection measures and keep an eye on the mortality rate of the endangered animal.

It will approve and coordinate research on tiger, its habitat and related ecological and socio-economic parameters and guide States in setting up tiger conservation foundations to ensure agricultural, livelihood, developmental and other interests of people living in tiger reserves.

Experts say despite efforts such as Project Tiger, the status of the species in India has remained critical, making it necessary to address the issue-- right from planning to administration, including laws to deal with violation.

Project Tiger, a sort of forerunner of the proposed Authority, was launched in India on April 7, 1973 to conserve the endangered animal.

It initially covered nine Tiger Reserves, whose number has now grown to 28, spread across 17 States.

Project Tiger is a Centrally-Sponsored Scheme. Over the years the need arose for a statutory Authority, having legal backing with well-defined functions, for conserving the tigers in the country.

Experts say any such conservation effort must take care of the prevailing circumstances in the country where forests are not regarded as wilderness areas but also inhabited by tribal people.

On the recommendations of the National Board for Wildlife, a Task Force was set up to look into the problems of tiger conservation in India and suggest comprehensive improvements.

The Task Force recommendations include strengthening Project Tiger by giving it statutory and administrative powers and sending its Report annually to the Central government to be tabled in Parliament so as to facilitate a period review of the commitment.

UNI MJ RP HS1728