RAIPUR: Concerned over rise in poaching and threat to tigers in Chhattisgarh's forests, the state government has formed a committee under chairmanship of Chief Minister Raman Singh for constant monitoring and to review the measures being taken for protection of the big cats.

A 13-member committee has been formed under the Wildlife Protection Amendment Act, 2006, an official statement said on Sunday.

The state has about 44 per cent areas under forest cover. It has four tiger habitats.

As Maoist insurgents largely command the Indravati National Park in southern Bijapur district, forest officials have hardly any data about number of big cats at the park.

The central government included three habitats - Achanakmar in Bilaspur district, Sitanadi in Dhamtari district and Udanti in Raipur district - in Project Tiger in 2007 while the Indravati is enjoying Project Tiger status since 1984.