Alipurduar, 23rd December: The process of relocation of inhabitants of Gangutia, and Bhutia Basti of Kumargram block under Buxa Tiger Reserve commenced in West Bengal’s Alipurduar. The move came following the instructions of the National Tiger Conservation Authority for the relocation of the first two forest habitats of the state.
As per reports, tigers will be brought into the core forest areas of Buxa Tiger Reserve for which the process of shifting the said villages is in process. Under this, the residents have started receiving half of the financial package amounting to Rs 7.5 lakh. Significantly, citizens residing for 18 years and above will receive a financial package of Rs 15 lakh as per National Tiger Conservation Authority rules. The residents of the forest settlement were elated after the commencement of the rehabilitation process.
In this regard, Praveen Kaswan, Director of Buxa Tiger Reserve, revealed that half of the financial package has been deposited in the accounts of 191 families of Gangutia village and 51 families of Bhutia Basti. He added that relocation will be completed in the upcoming six months.
Gud