Tiger population in the State had increased to 229 from 163 in the last five years owing to effective forest conservation measures and creation of waterholes inside the forests, said Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam.
Addressing the Graduation Day function held at Forest College here on Friday, he said that poaching and other criminal activities had been prevented effectively. A total of 254-km-long forest roads had been laid for effective surveillance. Equal importance was given for livelihood activities of tribal people. Micro credit was given to tribal people to improve their livelihood activities. Salaries and incentives had been increased for special squad members engaged in prevention of hunting, he added.
Forest Minster M.S.M. Anandhan said that green cover in the State had increased by to 30 per cent in 2015 when compared to 21 per cent before 2011. About 4.84 crore saplings had been planted to increase green cover in the State.
