West Bengal given Rs 5.5 core for forest and wildlife

New Delhi, Nov 8 (UNI) West Bengal has been awarded more than Rs 5.5 crore for preservation and protection of Forest and Wildlife in the state, an official release said here.

The amount also includes Annual Plan of Operation for Sundarbans Tiger Reserve under the Project Tiger Scheme During the year 2007-08.

Financial assistance amounting to Rs.201.88 lakh has been provided for Sundarbans Tiger Reserve and Rs. 356.21 lakh has been given for development of other National Parks and Sanctuaries in the state.

Sundarbans are part of the world's largest delta formed by Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers. It is a stretch of impenetrable mangrove forest of great size and bio-diversity at the southern tip of West Bengal.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site (awarded in '97), Sundarbans is a vast area covering 4262 square kms, of which 2,125 sq km is occupied by dense mangrove forest across 56 islands and the balance is under saline water. It has the largest Tiger Reserve and National Park in India.

UNI NAZ RL VC1840