Bahuguna for inclusion of Rajaji Park under Project Tiger

The Uttarakhand government will send a proposal to the Centre seeking inclusion of Rajaji National Park under the ambit of Project Tiger, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said today.
"Bringing Rajaji National Park under the purview of the project is a must to give a boost to the tiger population at the park," Bahuguna said at a function at Dhikala range of Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) to mark four decades of tiger conservation efforts in the country.
It was on this day in 1973 that India's first Project Tiger was launched from CTR's Dhikala range here.
Praising the efforts made by wildlife activists over the past 40 years in the field of tiger conservation, he said a lot more needs to be done for a substantial rise in tiger population across the country.

According to an official estimate, tiger population in the country has risen from 268 in 1973 to 1,468 at present.
The Chief Minister also announced that the Doggada range of Lansdowne forest division in Uttarakhand will be made part of the CTR.
Bahuguna also met representatives of the Van Gujjar community living close to the CTR and Rajaji National Park and assured them that steps are underway to provide them with permanent settlements.
He also promised scholarships to their children and old age pension to the elderly members of the community.