New Delhi, July 18: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has been informed that the last tiger census figures were "exaggerated" at various levels and it will not be possible to ascertain them. For the first time after setting up of the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, Dr Singh held a meeting with NTCA where he raised concern about the depleting tiger population and inquired about the ongoing measures to protect the population of the big cats. The meeting, which was held recently, also took up issues like paucity of staff and officials at tiger reserves and authorities concerned were asked to submit more suggestions for tiger conservation.
With preliminary findings of the ongoing tiger census showing almost 50 per cent decrease in the tiger population, the meeting held importance as officials were asked to specify whether the preliminary figures are indication that there has been an overall decrease and if yes then what were the main reasons besides poaching.
A count in 16 reserves in central Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh states, western Maharashtra and northern Rajasthan and their surrounding areas has shown depletion of up to 50 per cent in the tiger population to the last figures.
During the meeting, officials briefed Dr Singh that apart from poaching, depleting natural habitats and reduction in the core and buffer area of the habitat are also one of the primary reasons. Sources in Union ministry of environment and forests said that the Prime Minister also asked whether recommendations of the Tiger Task Force are being followed and whether there are further suggestions that authorities concerned would like to share so that tiger conservation can get a boost.
The Task Force was set up in March 2005, when it was reported that all tigers have been killed in Sariska reserve and the same fate lies for the big cats in other reserves, if the authorities do not take strict actions.
"The meeting was called by the Prime Minister who wanted an update on the tiger conservation. He had a threadbare discussion on the issue — from Sariska episode to why there are still cases of tiger poaching coming up," said an senior official
