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K’taka tiger reserves top country in upkeep: Study
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| The Times of India , Thursday, May 28, 2015 |
| Correspondent
: Rohith B R |
| Bengaluru: When the national tiger census report was released in January this year, Karnataka had every reason to feel proud. The state is now home to 406 tigers, the highest in the country. There is 35% rise in the number of big cats compared to the previous 2010 census. And the credit mainly goes to those in charge of protecting and maintaining their habitats in tiger reserves. The recently released Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE), a global framework to evaluate the performance of protected areas, has recognized the effective functioning of tiger reserves in the state. Bandipur, Nagarahole, Bhadra, Biligiri Ranganatha Temple and Dandeli-Anshi reserves have been rated as among the best in the country. The MEE assessment was on the basis of six elements -- context, planning, inputs, process, output and outcome. The importance of each tiger reserve is evaluated for conservation in the face of current threats to the species. Lauding the efforts of employees, Prakash Javadekar, Union minister for environment, forests and climate change, recently said: "The outcome of these assessments is encouraging and despite all odds, our park managers and frontline staff are putting up a valiant effort to conserve our natural heritage." PS Somasekhar, inspector general (NTCA, southern zone), said the assessment was done by NTCA in association with Wildlife Institute of India. "An expert committee visited 43 tiger reserves in the country and evaluated various parametres. Reserves in Karnataka have got a good ranking mainly because in addition to habitat protection, the employees as well as communities associated with these forest patches have taken the lead in creating awareness about conservation," he added.
What is MEE? Management Effectiveness Evaluation is the assessment of how well protected areas such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves, community reserves and tiger reserves are being managed and their effectiveness in conserving animals and vegetation there
Overall score goes up * The rating for all 43 tiger reserves has gone up from 65% in 2010-11 to 69% in 2014 * Bandipur, Nagarahole, Bhadra, Biligiri Ranganatha Temple and Dandeli-Anshi reserves have been rated as among the best in the country * Apart from tiger reserves in Karnataka, three reserves each in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, two in Kerala, one in Uttarakhand, Bihar, West Bengal have been rated 'very good'. The remaining fall in 'good' and 'fair' categories
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| SOURCE
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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Ktaka-tiger-reserves-top-country-in-upkeep-Study/articleshow/47449125.cms |
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