Karnataka will not implent Project Tiger: Minister

The state government has decided against implementing Project Tiger and the recommendations of the Kasturi Rangan Report on the Western Ghats to "allay people's fears over displacement and loss of livelihood," said Forest Minister Ramanath Rai.

Speaking after inaugurating "Saalumarada Thimmakka Tree Park" here on Saturday, the minister said that people in and around Kudremukh were facing threat to their livelihood as Project Tiger would displace thousands of families in the region.

Rai added that the government would honour the martyrs in the forest department who laid down their lives on the line of duty with Chief Minister's Gold Medal. The compensation to the families of persons who lose their lives due to attack by wild animals has been doubled to Rs 5 lakh. In case of partial disability, the victim would be paid Rs 2 lakh, instead of the earlier Rs 25,000. The compensation package for the crop loss due to the wild animal attack is also doubled.