Union Minister Prakash Javadekar today said the surrender of LPG subsidy under 'Give it up' scheme is a huge climate action as with the resultant enlarged LPG supply, more than 95 per cent households would be covered by the year 2030.
"The action taken by concerned citizens of the country by surrendering their subsidy on LPG under 'Give it up' is a huge climate action. Forty per cent households in India use firewood for cooking. With enlarged LPG supply, more than 95 per cent households would be covered by 2030. This will save trees, improve health and also co-benefit climate," he said here.
The Environment Minister was speaking after initiating distribution of LPG connections to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries of enclosures and fringe villages of BRT Tiger Reserve under Special Component Plan and Tribal Sub-Plan.
Javadekar said distribution of LPG to forest resource dependent villagers was aimed at minimising dependence on firewood and added that a total of 6,325 LPG connections had so far been provided.
To protect the rich and vibrant biodiversity of the tiger reserve, strict protection has been provided, including intensive patrolling by the protection staff and anti-poaching staff, Javadekar said.
"The anti-poaching staff keep a strict vigil on movement of smugglers and poachers, stay in remote camps and conduct supervisory monitoring in the beat assigned to them," he said.
The staff have been given Personal Digital Assistant using appropriate software to monitor and record their daily patrol route and other relevant information, Javadekar said.
He said there are 27 anti-poaching camps in BRT Tiger Reserve established at vantage points and that surveillance and patrolling by anti-poaching camps contribute to a large extent in curbing and controlling smuggling and poaching.
"The anti-poaching staff lead a very tough and difficult life. Therefore, they are provided all possible support and encouragement by the department," he said.
Javadekar, along with government officials, visited an anti-poaching camp at Burude and inaugurated a newly set up one at Belatha. "They interacted with the anti-poaching staff regarding their work and difficulties they face," he said.
The minister also released the Phase IV Monitoring Report 2014-15 and Tiger Conservation Plan for BRT Tiger Reserve.
