Project Tiger implementation lax in MP, says CAG

Bhopal, July 26 (UNI) Amid reports about dwindling tiger population in Madhya Pradesh, grave irregularities in the implementation of 'Project Tiger' came in for sharp criticism from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

''Protection measures in the tiger reserves were lax due to inadequate beat inspections, insufficient provision of arms and ammunition. Census of wild animals was not carried out with foolproof methodology'', said the CAG report (civil) of Madhya Pradesh government for 2005-06, which was presented in the Assembly today.

The centrally-sponsored ''Project Tiger'', implemented in five tiger reserves of the state, was aimed at maintaining a viable population of tigers in the country and to preserve for all times the areas of biological importance as national heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of people.

''Final notification of Tiger Reserves could not be issued by the state government'', the report said, adding the management plans were not approved by the competent authority before starting the implementation.

The state government did not release its share of funds in full, while cases of diversion of Government of India funds for other purposes were also noticed during audit, the report pointed out.

Relocation of the people living within the tiger reserves as well as removal of encroachment essential to ease biotic pressure on the tiger reserve were found to be not carried out completely, it added.

UNI