164 tigers ‘missing’ in UP, only 109 left

The Asian Age , Friday, October 09, 2009
Correspondent : Age Correspondent / Lucknow
Oct. 8: One hundred and sixty-four tigers in Uttar Pradesh have gone missing in the past four years and the state wildlife authorities are conveniently blaming the census techniques for the decline in numbers.

In the tiger census conducted about four years ago, the number of tigers was 273, which has now gone down to 109 The number of tigers in Uttar Pradesh has plummeted from 273 to 109 in four years.

The system of using pugmarks to make the tiger count was prevalent till 2005 after which the camera-trap method has been found to be more efficient, accurate and scientific.

"It is quite possible that the earlier count of tiger population was inflated and unrealistic. Pugmarks are often open to debate and can lead to enhancement of figures whereas the camera trap technique can clearly distinguish between one tiger and another by their stripe designs," says state chief wildlife conservator B.K. Patnaik.

The wildlife experts further pointed out that the use of new technique has been known to bring down the tiger population figures across the country.

The latest report of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has put India’s total tiger count at 1,411 — less than half the figure from the census carried out in 2005, he pointed out.

The tiger population in Uttar Pradesh has shown a decline in the past one decade but the fall has been the sharpest between 2005 and 2009.

The decline in tiger populated is attributed to the reduction of forest cover which drives the big cats into populated areas and then leads to their elimination by the local people and also poaching that thrives on the illegal trade in tiger skins, bones and claws in the international market. The failure of enforcement authorities to ensure punishment for poachers has also encouraged the trade.

Meanwhile, as per the report of the Wildlife Institute of India, Madhya Pradesh has the highest tiger population of 300, followed by Karnataka (290), Uttarakhand (178), Uttar Pradesh (109), Maharashtra (103), Tamil Nadu (76) and Assam (70).

 
SOURCE : http://www.asianage.com/presentation/leftnavigation/news/india/164-tigers-%E2%80%98missing%E2%80%99-in-up,-only-109-left.aspx
 


Back to pevious page



The NetworkAbout Us  |  Our Partners  |  Concepts   
Resources :  Databases  |  Publications  |  Media Guide  |  Suggested Links
Happenings :  News  |  Events  |  Opinion Polls  |  Case Studies
Contact :  Guest Book  |  FAQs |  Email Us