The State Forest Department, which is under fire for the decline in the tiger population across the State, has claimed that the big cat population was either stable or was increasing slightly at Kanha, Pench, Bandhavgarh and Satpura national parks and these parks at present have 55 tiger cubs.

The department has also claimed that last year almost 8 lakh tourists have visited the national parks of the state. These visitors have generated Rs 8.93 crore as revenues for the reserved forest areas of the State.

HS Pabla, Principal Chief Conservator Forest (PCCF-Wildlife) through a press statement has informed that through the department doesn't conduct tiger census every year but their numbers are assessed every year, on the basis of pugmarks. These pugmarks suggest that big cat population is wither stable or showing slight improvement in Kanha, Pench, Bandhavgarh and Satpura national parks, added Pabla.

He informed that with significant breeding in these parks, at present Kanha has 20, Pench & Bandhavgarh have 14 each and Satpura has 7 tiger cubs aged less than one year. As per the press statement, a Tiger Strike Force (TSF) has been established in the State, for detecting and preventing wildlife crimes in Bhopal, Indore, Sagar, Jabalpur, Itarsi, Satna and nearby areas.

Pabla also has informed that taking a unique initiative, the Forest department has started monitoring traditional poachers' nomadic tribes like Pardhi, Bawadia, Bahelia and Mogia, apart from providing them alternate means of livelihood and education, so that their future generations are not engaged in poaching. These activities are running in Vidisha, Panna and Satwada, added Pabla.