RI Allocates Rp3 Bln For Tiger Conservation Center In Riau

Pekanbaru, Riau, March 22 (Antara) - The Indonesian forestry ministry has allocated funds amounting to around Rp3 billion for the construction of Sumatran tiger conservation center in Riau Province. "For the initial stage, around Rp3 billion has been allocated in the state budget this year," the ministry`s Director General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation Darori told Antara by phone on Friday. The ministry will build a conservation center of Sumatran tiger (panthera tigris sumatrae) in Senepis, Riau, he said. Senepis is one of the remaining Sumatran tiger habitats in Indonesia. Around 25 tigers are estimated to have existed in Senepis forest. "A 300-ha area has been made available for the conservation center," he said. Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan is expected to lay the first corner stone for the construction of the conservation center this year. The conservation center will have a veterinary medical facility and is expected to increase the population of Sumatran tigers. The population of Sumatran tigers is currently around 300-400 heads.