Raje to seek Centre's support for conservation of Great Indian

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje would seek support from the Centre for conservation of the 'Great Indian Bustard' from becoming extinct in the desert state.
Chairing a meeting of the state Wildlife Board here, Raje said that she would write a letter to the Union Minister for Forest and Environment Prakash Javadekar seeking his support for the conservation of the bird.
She said that her government was serious about saving the bird from extinction and no stone would be left unturned for this and all efforts would be made locally as well as at national and international level.
"Support of international experts, financial institutions and funding agencies would also be invited so that the existence of this heaviest flying bird could be maintained," a release quoted Raje as saying.

In the meeting, a presentation was given on the present status of the Desert National Park (DNP) notified for conservation and saving the GIB in Jaisalmer.
On this, the Chief Minister asked the officials of Forest, Revenue and other concerned departments and the members of the Wildlife Board to team-up and visit in order to review the situation and propose an action plan.

While talking on the Tiger Safari Project in Ranthambhore National Park, the Chief Minister said that objective of this scheme was to reduce pressure of tourism activities on the core area of the Park.
She directed the officials to prepare a detailed report for this project.

Implementation of 'Van Dhan scheme' proposed to provide sustainable and green livelihood opportunities to the people residing nearby the protected or conserved forest regions and development of green cities was also discussed in the meeting.
Raje suggested for setting-up wildlife clubs in schools, flowing in CSR funds from the private corporates for creating awareness among the masses on conservation of forests and wildlife and ensuring the local communities' partnership in different projects and schemes.
The Board gave approval for Jaipur Mega Tourism City, entry of vehicular traffic upto Forest Lodge in Keoladeo National Park Bharatpur, problem of catfish in lakes in Bharatpur and other districts and to study the efforts made to protect crops from being destroyed by Blue Bulls in Gujarat.

State Forest and Environment Minister Rajkumar Rinwa, MLAs Diya Kumar and Man Singh, Chief Secretary CS Rajan, Additional Chief Secretary O P Meena, Principal Secretaries Prem Singh Mehra and Ashok Singhwi, other officers and members of the Board were present in the meeting.
Raje also held a separate meeting with Niti Ayog member Bibek Debroy, member of the CM advisory council Manish Sabharwal, Chief Secretary C S Rajan and other officials and directed them to expedite the work to do away with irrelevant laws and acts.
She said that it was complex work but should be accomplished with the opinion and experience of the subject experts.

The Chief Secretary briefed the CM about the progress is the work of identifying such laws and said that the Niti Ayog member will be consulted on a regular basis.