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How much funds for the protection of the lion-tiger? MP Parimal Nathwani questions Rajya Sabha
March 16, 2020 | TV Gujarati

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Yesterday Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani asked a question in the Rajya Sabha about the conservation of tigers and lions which was answered by Babul Supriyo, the Union Minister of State for Environment, Forestry, & Climate Change. The question was asked about the amount of central government allocated for the maintenance of tigers and lions in the country, and in response, Babul Supriyo informed that the central government had allocated on its tigers a value of  ₹1010.42 Crores and on lions ₹32 crores, under the Wildlife Conservation Scheme. 

“The data of fund released for lion conservation does not include the fund released by the Government of Gujarat. The state govt had sanctioned Rs 350 crore for long-term conservation of lions in Gujarat. But, the Centre needs to increase funding for Asiatic lions as they are found only in Gir and nearby areas in Gujarat, while tigers are spread across India and Asia,” Nathwani said.
The Minister's statement also said that the state ministry's Asiatic Lion Conservation Project was started by allocating ₹97.85 crore.

Babul Suprio's response revealed, “The Centre released Rs 4.98 cr, Rs 5.59 cr and Rs 21.42 cr in the year 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 respectively under DWH Scheme for Gujarat, which inter alia includes conservation of Asiatic lions. In the same three years, for Project Tiger, the Centre released Rs 342.25 cr, Rs 345 cr and Rs 323.17 cr respectively.”

Responding to another question asked by MP Parimal Nathwani, the minister said that the number of Asian lions increased from 459 in the last three census to 523 in 2015, up 45.68 percent from 359 in 2005. The number of tigers increased from 73.91 percent in 2220 in the last three census to 3000 in 2018.
The government also said that in the case of death or permanent disability, the amount paid by the ministry to the victim & their family a compensation was recently increased to ₹5 lakh from ₹2 lakh. While the cost of damage to property/crop has to be paid by the State or Union Territory Governments was required by upto ₹25000. Reply