Gujarat government allocates Rs 10 crore for Caracal conservation

Kutch (Gujarat) [India], October 4 : In an effort to encourage Caracal (Henotaro) breeding and conservation, the Gujarat government will be allocating Rs 10 crore to develop a centre for the same in Samtra village of Kutch district in Chadwa Rakhal region, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced on Friday.
The Chief Minister made the announcement about the caracal breeding and conservation centre at a function organised at Shyamji Krishna Verma Memorial in Mandvi, Kutch.
An official statement by the Chief Minister's Office said, "The area will be managed as a caracal breeding and conservation area for the long-term conservation and breeding of the caracal (henotaro), which is extremely rare across the country and only found in Kutch district in Gujarat."
"In addition to caracals and caracals, 28 mammals, 28 reptiles and 242 exotic species like leopards, crocodiles, chinkaras, jackals, 28 reptiles and 242 exotic species, a total of 296 species of animal diversity can be found at Chadwa Rakhal, an important natural heritage of Kutch. Not only this, there is a botanical diversity of 243 species in this area," the statement added.
Having potential for wildlife and botanical researchers, this area also has potential for eco-tourism activities.
More than 4000 hectares of land in the Chadwa Rakhal region was given by the Kutch royal family in the presence of the CM.
"The possession of 4900 hectares of land of this Chadva Rakhal was handed over to the state government by the erstwhile royal family of Kutch in the presence of the Chief Minister. The revenue department of the state government has handed over this land of Chadwa Rakhal to the forest department for conservation and enhancement of natural resources," the statement read.
"Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has given an important gift during the ongoing Wildlife Week celebrations by allocating 10 crore rupees to develop Caracal Breeding and Conservation Center in Chadwa Rakhal area," it added.