By IANS,
Lucknow : With the transformation of a wildlife sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh is set to get its second tiger reserve, taking into account the increasing number of big cats over the last few years in the state.
“We have just completed the report sought by the central government for transforming the Sohelwa wildlife sanctuary into the tiger reserve,” divisional forest officer (DFO) Balrampur V.P. Singh told IANS by telephone Monday.
He said the report will be sent to the government within two-three days.
The sanctuary, home to nearly 32 tigers, is spread across 450 acres in the state’s Balrampur and Shrawasti districts. Also, there are over 50 leopards and other species like hyena, deer, wild boar, blue bulls, flying squirrel, pythons and hog deer.
Singh said the conversion is likely to boost the economic development of the state. “With the transformation, Sohelwa will invite more tourists from various regions, leading to rise in economic development here.”
At present, Uttar Pradesh has India’s second largest tiger reserve Dudhwa, spread in the Lakhimpur Kheri and Bahraich districts.