KOHORA, Feb 9 � �The Project Tiger in Kaziranga is not going to have any harmful effect on tourism-related business,� said the Director of Kaziranga National Park, Surajit Dutta, while addressing mediapersons in his official chamber today.
Dutta said there is no plan as such on the part of authorities concerned with regard to shifting of the existing residences, except those in the additional areas where the preliminary notification had been issued between 1984 and 1985.
He said that compensation has already been extended to the local administration at the rate fixed by the revenue department, to be paid to the affected families.
The Director further said that the growth of responsible tourism in Kaziranga is welcome as long as it does not disturb animal corridors and habitats.
But a section of senior citizens at Kohora feel that the fear-psychosis that still prevails in the minds of common people living in and around Kaziranga National Park must be removed by the forest department by explaining its position on the ground.
It is also important for NGOs working in the field of tiger census to explain the facts to the people so that any misunderstanding can be cleared.
