Central scheme for integrated development of wildlife habitats to continue beyond 12th plan

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday approved continuation of the Centrally sponsored umbrella scheme of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (CSS-IDWH) beyond the 12th Plan period from 2017-18 to 2019-20.

There are three such plans: Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger (CSS-PT), Development of Wildlife Habitats (CSS-DWH) and Project Elephant (CSS-PE).

As per an official release, the total outlay is Rs 1,731.72 crore as the central share (Rs 1,143 crore for Project Tiger, Rs. 496.50 crore for development of wildlife habitats and Rs 92.22 crore for Project Elephant) from 2017-18 to 2019-20.

A total of 18 tiger range states, distributed in five landscapes of the country would be benefited under the Project Tiger scheme.

The schemes are expected to generate direct employment of about 30 lakh mandays annually which will include many local tribes besides non-tribal local workforce.

The implementation of the schemes would be done through the respective states in designated tiger reserves, protected areas and elephant reserves.

--IANS

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