towards project snow leopard - Nature Conservation Foundation

28 • Addresses
Shri J. C. Kala, DG Forests and Special Secretary to the Ministry of Environment and Forests,
Government of India
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a pleasure for me to be here and participate in this important workshop. As you know,
wildlife conservation is a subject of the state. In general, the budgetary allocation from the states
into wildlife conservation has been low, with most of the assistance coming from the centre. The
Hon’ble Minister Thiru A. Raja consults the respective states before initiating any new programmes
in this field. You are also well aware that the budget for forests and wildlife is low compared to
other departments. Against this background, the present workshop being organized by the Jammu
& Kashmir Government is very important. The state, as you know, harbours about 60 % of the
estimated population of snow leopard of the country.
Wildlife conservation is a priority of the Government of India and the National Wildlife
Action Plan is an example of this concern. Project Snow Leopard should be linked with this Action
Plan. Project Snow Leopard, apart from benefiting the target species, would also benefit local
communities, and wildlife tourism.
I hope that in this workshop, the participants facilitated by the Nature Conservation
Foundation and the International Snow Leopard Trust, will come up with appropriate ideas and
suggestions for the Project Snow Leopard, which can be acted upon.
Thank you.