Kerala Forest Minister K Raju watches the photo exhibition
The state has plans to introduce various tourism projects for Thekkady, said Raju, Forest Minister of Kerala. He was inaugurating the 40th anniversary celebrations of Periyar Tiger Resrve (PTR) at Thekkady on Friday, 21st December 2018.
The minister said the forest protection programmes of the government will be carried out with public participation.
“To support the tribal community, the government will appoint 500 forest watchers from the tribal community across the state. The appointment will be completed through Public Service Commission (PSC) and the process will complete by the next financial year,” said the minister
“While planning tourism projects, only environment-friendly development works will be undertaken. We are planning a number of tourism projects in and around Thekkady, which include a tiger museum at Kumily, an amenity center at the boat-landing station, low-emission buses from Kumily to boat-landing station, and projects for the welfare of local people who depend on tourism and forest protection activities,” added the minister.
A postal stamp and cover was released by Sharda Sampath, Chief Post Master General, to mark the occasion.
While commenting on the issue of wild animal-human conflicts in forest areas, the minister said there was no provision in the wildlife protection rules to kill excess animals or animals enter human habitats.
“The State government is introducing a mechanism in consultation with the Central government to control wild animal menace. In some States, animals that constantly raised threat to human beings were controlled. This does not mean that the excess wild animals in the forests should be eliminated,” said the minister.
Poonjar MLA PC George, Chief wild life warden P K Kesavan and other dignitaries from the Forest department and local bodies were also present in the occasion.
