Chief Minister Inaugurated 'Jungle Safari'

• 24 May 2023

Why in News?

On 22 May 2023, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot inaugurated the 'Jungle Safari' at Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary through video conference in Udaipur district of the state on International Biodiversity Day.

Key points:

• With the introduction of 'Jungle Safari' in Jaisamand Sanctuary, tourism will be promoted in Udaipur district, a major ecotourism site will be developed in the state and employment opportunities will also be available in the area.
• It is known that due to the efforts made under Project Leopard in Jaisamand Sanctuary, the number of leopards has increased to 19 at present.
• It is worth mentioning that in the year 1972, former Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi understood the importance of forest and wildlife conservation and laid the foundation of 'Project Tiger'. As a result, India today has 70 percent of the world's tigers.
• It is known that there are three tiger safaris in Rajasthan. Recently, Ramgarh Vishdhari has been developed as the fourth tiger project of the state. A committee has also been formed for the Kumbhalgarh Tiger Project.
• The state government is constantly making efforts to protect the forest and wildlife. To maintain biodiversity, the notification of Rajasthan Biological Diversity Rules was issued in the year 2010.
• There are 3 national parks, 27 wildlife sanctuaries, 16 conservation reserves and 4 tiger projects in the state. Work is being done with more sensitivity for the protection and promotion of all these.
• Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that several historic decisions have been taken by the state government for forest and environment conservation. In this sequence, wildlife, forest area and ecotourism are being continuously developed in the state.
• The Eco-Tourism Policy-2021 was implemented by the present state government. Also, a special tiger conservation force has been set up by deploying border home guards in Sariska and Mukandra Hills Tiger Reserves, which is a unique initiative.
• For eco-tourism, two eco-tourism Luv-Kush gardens are being developed near forest areas in each district.
• A wildlife management training centre has been set up at Talchapar Sanctuary in Churu and infrastructure facilities are being developed in Chambal Gharial Sanctuary from tourism point of view.
• An agreement was signed between the Central Government, Wildlife Institute of India and the State Government for the conservation of the state bird Godawan and the State Government with the help of an artificial breeding center of Godawan in Jaisalmer.
• Forestry parks are also being developed in Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, Udaipur, Bharatpur and Ajmer on the lines of World Forestry Park at Jhalana Dungri in Jaipur.