Raj govt, WII mull captive breeding centre for Great Indian

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has proposed to set up a captive breeding centre to protect the Great Indian Bustard, the state bird of Rajasthan from extinction.
The matter was taken up by WII with Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, an official spokesman said.
Officials from various departments of the state wildlife board were also present at the meeting, he said.
The Chief Minister asked the officials to study the Maharashtra model for arranging additional financial resources for wildlife conservation.
Along with a slew of measures, she directed the Forest and Environment Department officials to make special arrangements for eradication of catfish in Keoladeo National Park of Bharatpur.

She also directed for developing green areas around the sanctuaries, protected areas and national parks as well as prepare plans to develop hilly terrains near the urban centres as green region.

Raje asked the officials to remove encroachments on the government lands in and around the forest areas and ensure cleanliness, the spokesman said.
She said the Forest Department should coordinate with the local-self government and Urban Development departments as well as partner with the local people for the initiative.
The CM directed the officials to set up an Executive Council to ensure time bound implementation and monitoring of the decisions taken by the Wildlife Board..

It was further decided that separate committees be set up for protection and management of wetlands and closed areas around the forest regions.
The members of Board gave their approval for installation of a second rope way at Sunda Mata temple in Jalore district as well as broadening the Sawai Madhopur-Shivpuri Road passing through Ranthambhore National Park, the spokesman added.