After presiding over the 15th management board meeting of the Tiger Conservation Foundation held at his office in Vikas Soudha recently Ishwara B Khandre, Forest, Biology and Environment Minister has given a clear instruction to take strict action to make all the forest areas of the state, including tiger reserves, completely plastic free.
In the meeting he had informed that he had seen heaps of plastic carry bags and water bottles lying on the side of the roads leading to the forest area of Bandipur, Nagarhole, Kumara Parvata.
Speaking further the minister said that this plastic will kill the wild animals that comes out of the forest for food. He also informed that recently about 3 -4 kg of plastics were found in the stomach of dead crocodile and in the stomach of a deer which were reported in a media about the presence of plastic. This is an alarming matter and it has been suggested that all the vehicles plying on the intra-forest route should be subjected to strict two-stage inspection.
In the first phase, the travelers will be informed to voluntarily put plastic waste in the dustbin, and in the second phase tourists who bring plastic bottles and carry bags even after repeated information giving to them through proper channel swill be fined.
Minister Ishwara B Khandre also suggested to take action to prevent plastic waste which were coming through the rivers flowing into the forest and Kabini backwater.
The minister has also directed the officials to take immediate action to clear the rampant lantana, sanna and other weeds in the forest areas of the state.
He also said that the basic objective of the Tiger Conservation Foundation is the conservation of the habitat of the tiger and the diverse wildlife and animals of the tiger forest.
There is an opportunity to allocate money for the welfare of tribals in tiger protected areas from the funds of the Tiger Conservation Foundation, and to work for the empowerment of tribals within the forest through various activities of Environmental Development Committees (EDC). Appreciating the EDC activities undertaken in Kali, BRT, Nagarhole, Bhadra tiger sanctuaries, the minister instructed to create more programs, provide assistance to women to live independently, start smart classes in schools and provide laptops to talented tribal children.
Minister also informed that the daily allowance of food grains given to the staff working in anti-poaching camps within the limits of tiger protected areas has been increased from the present Rs.80 to Rs.100 and suggested to submit a proposal that whether it can be increased further.
