The dramatic rise in the tiger deaths has cast aspersions on conservation efforts for the wild cats. Until the 2010 tiger census, 1,706 tigers were left in the wild.

Out of the 78 tigers killed this year ( till November 22), 50 fell victim to poachers, while another 28 died due to natural causes. Previously, 56 tigers were killed in 2011, 53 in 2010 and 66 in 2009.

With 14 tiger deaths, mostly in Tadoba reserve, Maharashtra has been the worst performer in 2012, followed by Karnataka (13) and Uttarakhand (12).

These ominous figures suggest that the illegal tiger trade continues to flourish with undiminished demand from across the border, especially China. Tiger body parts are used to prepare medicines, mostly aphrodisiacs, in South- Asian countries, officials said.

While the government claims it has taken a number of steps to tackle tiger poaching, the efforts are not showing significant results.

Lucrative poaching

Six months ago, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) - the premier agency for tiger conservation and protection - changed its rules on treating tiger deaths. The authority directed that poaching be considered the cause of every tiger's death unless proved otherwise. This was done to discourage forest officers from trying to paint every death as natural.

Wildlife conservationist Belinda Wright has expressed concern over the rising cases of tiger deaths. "Despite new initiatives by the government, this year the cases of tiger poaching have been exceptionally high. It is a matter of serious concern," she said.

Going into the reasons behind the deaths, Wright said: "Wildlife crime has become a very lucrative business, which provides high motivation to the poachers.

Unfortunately, the forest department is not that motivated. We need better resources and greater motivation on the ground, otherwise we will not be able to win the battle."

Threats aplenty

An NTCA official said that poachers had become active in Maharashtra and Uttarakhand over the last two years. Some cases of villagers poisoning the wild cats to save their domestic animals have also been reported, he added.

NTCA authorities, alarmed by the movement of hunting tribes across tiger reserves, have alerted states to conduct special drives and nab such offenders.

"Members of Pardhi and Bawaria tribes were arrested from around half a dozen tiger reserves. These tribesmen travel from north to south in search of tigers. As they get a high price, they continue to be a part of this trade," a wildlife officer said.

"Though we have schemes to rehabilitate them, there are no takers. Unless the effort is undertaken with a missionary zeal, it may not bear fruit," he added.

The shooting of a stray tiger in Kerala's Wayanad, last week, by forest officials also lays bare how the animal is treated by its protectors.

Conservationists argue that until the government manages to curb the demand for tiger body parts, poaching may continue.

Efforts need to be put in to tell countries like China, and other South- Asian nations, to crack down on their industries that thrive on animal parts.

Wildlife authorities pointed out that they have asked the states and respective tiger reserve officials to strengthen anti-poaching measures, formulate a special strategy for monsoon patrolling, deploy anti-poaching squads comprising ex- army personnel and home guards, and strengthen the communication wireless facilities.

Even the funds for relocating villagers from tiger reserves have been increased from Rs.1 lakh per family to Rs.10 lakh for those living in the core areas.

A senior NTCA official said efforts were finally yielding results. "We have been able to secure many convictions in poaching cases... this will act as a deterrent," he said.