Three villages of Melghat Tiger Reserve relocated

New Delhi, Mar 9 (UNI) Three villages out of a total of 22 situated in the Melghat Tiger Reserves have been relocated, Minister of State for Environment and Forests Namo Narain Meena told the Rajya Sabha today.

These villages occupied an area of 788.75 sq. km of the sanctuary, he said, in a written reply.

The Minister said an amount of Rs. 63.00 lakh has been provided under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger to the State for relocation of three more villages from the remaining 19 villages.

The recent amendments to Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in 2006 provides for the relocation process, both to to benefit the people concerned and to maintain inviolate areas for animals.

An area of 526.92 sq.km. area of the tiger reserve is being managed as multiple used area, said Mr Meena.

UNI