A tigress was recently lynched in Chhattisgarh. In Maharashtra, 67 persons have been mauled to death by big cats in 18 months. Vijay Pinjarkar lists key reasons why the royal animal is under threat now, and what we can do about it

Degradation of habitats: Tigers need secure and disturbancefree home ranges to maintain a viable population. But haphazard development activities in the landscape of protected areas (PAs) pose a big threat to the big cat.

Expert speak: "Lynching of a tigress on September 24 (in Chhattisgarh) and another tigress falling in a canal near Nagpur on October 11 are examples of how development projects are taking a toll on tigers. In Vidarbha, 85 power plants pose a big threat," says Prafulla Bhamburkar, manager, Wildlife Trust of India.

Protected area villages: There is an urgent need to resettle villages from the core of PAs to free them of human habitations. The Centre has declared it will resettle around 50,000 families from 762 villages in the core areas of 39 tiger reserves in the country. For this, Rs 4,000 crore is needed. But the finance ministry has released just Rs 200-300 crore. Expertspeak: "Relocation in some 28 reserves, including Kanha, Sariska and Panna has benefited tigers and their prey, and relocation of 411 families from Corbett increased tiger numbers by 52% during 1984-2002," says Kishor Rithe, member, National Board for Wildlife.

Poaching prey & predator: It goes without saying that poaching of tigers and its prey species still poses a great risk to the animals. Tigers are under threat as the state has watered down the mechanism to crack down on wildlife crimes. Since January this year, 48 tiger deaths have been reported in India.

Expertspeak: "Areas around parks are easy targets for poachers. For long-term protection of tigers, these areas need to be secured. The tribals may not be killing the tigers but they are destroying its prey base," says Nitin Desai, director (central India), Wildlife Protection Society of India 4 Man-animal conflict As humans move deeper into the forests, they continue to be victims of wild animal attacks. In Maharashtra alone, 67 persons have been mauled to death by tigers and leopards in the past 18 months. Expertspeak: "States have failed to revive habitats. Many states have not declared buffer zones and eco-sensitive zones around PAs," says Nishikant Kale, who heads Nature Conservation Society.

Biotic pressure: Villagers living close to national parks put huge biotic pressure on forest by grazing cattle, extracting minor forest produce, bamboo, fuel wood and timber degrading forests. They are also responsible for forest fires.

Expertspeak: "It calls for increase in government expenditure on development of forests and grasslands and water on the fringes of parks and reserves. While recruiting people, locals should be preferred," feels Suresh Chopne, director, Green Planet, Chandrapur 6 Lack of political will Politicians sometimes see huge swathes of forest land as inimical to growth.

During a discussion in the Maharashtra assembly on man-animal conflict, a Congress leader recently asked the government to make "permanent arrangement" for tigers.

Expertspeak: "Our policy-makers do not take into consideration the 'gross natural product' of forests, which sustain millions of people," says Bhamburkar.

Excessive tourism: Tourism has gone out of control in Madhya Pradesh, with many tigers dying after being hit by vehicles. Besides, mushrooming of resorts in corridor areas has affected parks like Kanha and Corbett.

Expertspeak: "A draft eco-tourism policy is ready and is being finalised for tiger reserves," says Ajay Dubey, who runs Prayatna, an NGO, in Bhopal.

Shrinking corridors: The Satpuda landscape in central India is spread across 14 districts in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. Around 34% of this is forest cover and has 15% of the world's tigers. However, this landscape is being fragmented.

Expertspeak: "Corridors between tiger reserves are important for genetic exchange and long-term survival. But many projects, even those violating laws, are simply being pushed without necessary permissions," says Rithe.

Lack of resources: Paucity of funds leads to delayed disbursal of money and non-payment of salaries to protection staff for months together. Patrolling vehicles are sometimes grounded as there's no cash for fuel. A large number of vacant posts, besides recruitment of untrained and ill-equipped staff are also a huge drawback.

Expert speak: "Governments lack welfare policy for staff involved in tiger protection. It's time they were given free ration, especially those living in protection huts deep inside the jungle," says Kale.