Periyar Tiger Reserve becomes BCRLIP

THEKKADY: As a major recognition of its conservation programme and ecological development, the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) has become a centre for the new world project Biodiversity Conservation and Rural Livelihood Improvements Project (BCRLIP) aided by International Development Association (IDA) and  Global  EnvironmentFacility (GEF). The project is worth `3 crore with a time period of five years under which three centres, Agasthyarmala in Tamil Nadu and Geer forest in Gujarat, along with Periyar Tiger Reserve, have been selected. Under the project, the PTR will be a learning centre for the BCRLIP project. The PTR has already been declared a centre of excellence.  The BCRLIP has  been initiated with an objective to impart training and developing skills for participatory conservation movement.  Under the project, training will be given to people  across the country, conservation skill development class  will be provided, cross country visits to other national parks will be undertaken and local visits for  the protection staff and NGOs will be given.  Besides, landscape approach to conservation, moving beyond wildlife sector to involve other agencies and building partnerships with private and public entities will be given emphasis,” PTR officials said.Under the project, more contract staff will be recruited to conduct research and to give training to visiting delegates.  “For the project, ecologist, sociologist, regional planner, training officer, training assistant, field assistant and accountant will be recruited on a contract basis.  “These people along with other researchers in the Periyar Foundation will impart training to the visiting delegates from across the country,” official said. According to PTR Deputy Director Sanjayan Kumar, the DCRLIP is a recognition for the ongoing conservation programme undergoing in the PTR. “It is a major achievement for the PTR that it selected along with three other centres for the BCRLIP programme,” Kumar said.“This will impart training for the people in the conservation of the wildlife and ecology. The training to the people will be about conservation which will help the prevention of forest and wildlife,” Sanjayan Kumar added.