"Tigers are assets of the hill state...We should ensure people's participation in protection of the wildlife," he said at a meeting of the governing body of Corbett Tiger Conservation Foundation at the secretariat here.
Stressing on encouraging research programs related to Corbett Tiger Reserve and imparting environmental education to students, the chief minister directed the officials to "set up a separate committee for rehabilitation of villagers living in Sunderkhal Village of Corbett park".
Earlier in the day, at a state wildlife advisory board meeting, Bahuguna said the compensation paid to villagers for their cattle killed by wild animals is insufficient and directed the officials to increase it to a respectable amount, an official statement said.
Bahuguna also approved rehabilitation of two pairs of tigers at western part of Rajaji Park from Corbett park, it said.