Tiger conservation body comes into effect

The functions and powers of the Authority include:

8226; Approval of tiger conservation plan prepared by states

8226; Laying down normative standards for tiger conservation

8226; Providing information on protection, census, patrolling, etc

On the basis of recommendations by the PM-appointed tiger task force, following the Sariska expose and consequent reports of a tiger crisis across the country, the MoEF brought in the Amendment Act which was passed in Parliament8217;s monsoon session. The Authority, with a tenure of three years, will be headed by the Minister for Environment and Forests, the minister of state will be the vice-chairperson. It will comprise the MoEF secretary, DG forests, Tribal Affairs secretary, Social Justice secretary,

Panchayati Raj secretary, chairpersons of the National Commissions for STs and SCs, and six chief wildlife wardens in rotation from tiger reserve states of AP, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttaranchal among others.