THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (Kerala) Feb 8- The state Forest Department will issue passports to wildlife enthusiasts and to encourage conservation of forests and wildlife among the people. Holders of the ‘green passport’ can go trekking in inner forests and protected regions in south Indian state Kerala, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
Department sources said the 100-page passport will have a photo and details of the visitor, things to be taken care of during trekking and the number of visits and forests visited, among others. The passport initiative was first introduced by the Forest Department to environmental organisations and school forest clubs in the vicinity of Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Pathanamthitta district.
About 40 students from 17 schools in the surrounding regions of the tiger reserve visited the reserve forest with their passport. The passport will be verified at each check post in reserve forests and protected areas.
The green passports are in the printing stage and will be distributed throughout divisional forest offices within two months.
BERNAMA
