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Flexi-fund for tiger reserves to boost local efforts

In a big boost for tiger reserves, the ministry of environment & forests (MoEF) has for the first time introduced 'flexi-fund' component within the centrally sponsored schemes (CSS), to provide flexibility in utilization of funds in tiger reserves to achieve objectives.

As part of the flexi-fund component, three tiger reserves — Tadoba-Andhari, Pench and Melghat in Vidarbha — will get around Rs 1.52 crore during 2014-15. Of this, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has already released Rs 94.98 lakh to the three reserves.

On May 8, NTCA granted administrative sanction of Rs 5.62 crore for Melghat, Rs 5.51 crore for Tadoba, and Rs 3.99 crore for Pench. Of this, the tiger authority has released the first instalment of Rs 2.61 crore for Tadoba, Rs 1.09 crore for Melghat and Rs 1.28 crore for Pench.

"The 10% flexi-fund is part of this amount," said wildlife wing officials.As part of the first instalment of flexi-fund, Pench will get Rs 37.31 lakh, Tadoba Rs 46.70 lakh and Melghat Rs 10.97 lakh.The flexi-fund component was introduced by ministry of finance on January 6, 2014, to provide flexibility to states to meet local needs and requirements within the overall objective of each programme or scheme.

The aims include pilot innovations and improved efficiency within the overall objective of the scheme and its expected outcomes; and to undertake mitigation or restoration activities in case of natural calamities in the sector covered by the CSS.The flexi-fund will be utilized by the state governments as per guidelines issued by the finance ministry, read with guidelines of the CSS of 'Project Tiger' in vogue, in the tiger reserve.

The issue had also come up in a NTCA meeting attended by field directors at Delhi.Talking to Times of India, an NTCA official, who did not want to be named, said, "Though there is no clarity, what I learn is that the flexi-fund is a sort of via media to transfer part of the grants directly to the field directors to meet emergency expenses through tiger conservation foundations (TCFs). 

It has been observed that while NTCA releases funds under CSS early, respective state governments delay it by coming out with a separate GR. This move is to overcome the problem."



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