December 5, 2024
Md Nadimul Haque’s Specia Mention on the concern over low utilisation of funds under Project Tiger and Project Elephant
Sir, I rise to raise an issue that demands immediate attention of the Government. There is an urgent need to address the critical issue of under utilisation of funds under Project Tiger and Project Elephant, which are pivotal for the conservation of India’s wildlife heritage. Following the abysmally low utilization, there have been no significant developments as one-third of funds still remain under-utilized in 2023-24. This lack of fund utilization is particularly concerning given the recent mass deaths of elephants in Madhya Pradesh and Odisha. Such incidents highlight the urgent need for strengthening conservation measures and enhancing wildlife management practices. While Project Tiger has consistently received higher funding, the limited scope and resources under Project Elephant have significantly hampered efforts to manage and protect our elephant population effectively. This is concerning in light of the recent statistics that India has lost 528 elephants in the last five years due to unnatural causes. Thus, the merger of schemes is proving to be a poorly planned move. The situation demands for a speedy response by the Ministry. This includes an immediate action plan addressing gaps in habitat management, anti-poaching measures, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation. Therefore, I urge the Government to take decisive steps to strengthen these programs and safeguard our wildlife. Thank you, Sir.
