A tiger reserve in India is under threat of being flooded by closing a dam to irrigate for agriculture.
Kutku dam is part of the inter-state North Koel River irrigation project, in Aurangabad district, India. Closing the gate of the dam would irrigate agricultural land in Aurangabad and Gaya districts in Bihar- but it would also flood and submerge Jharkhand's Palamu Tiger Reserve.
The area under threat is the prime tiger habitat and it is rich in wildlife and biodiversity. The forests are the breeding grounds of tigers, leopards and elephants. Due to submergence, traditional migratory routes of elephants will also be blocked.
According to section 38 V (4) (i) of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, critical tiger habitats have to be maintained as inviolate for tiger conservation.
Save Jharkhand's Palamu Tiger Reserve.
SOURCE:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/Submergence-threat-to-Palamu-Tiger-Reserve/articleshow/11469970.cms
Ms. Kavita Prasad Director, Department of Economic Affairs
Ministry of Finance
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Mr. Hem Kumar Pande
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