Foreigner for tiger census in state

Deccan Herald , Monday, May 16, 2005
Correspondent : Adhir Kumar Saxena
Bhopal, May 15 The Government of India has decided to carry out census of Tigers in Madhya Pradesh through a five member committee that will include foreign wild life experts. The census would start by mid June and the exact number of tigers would be counted in Madhya Pradesh.

According to placed sources in the Forest department, several complaints had been made for illegal poaching rampant in the state. Despite several letters to the state government, official sources refused to accept poaching and surveys carried out by the department revealed that the tiger count was up to the mark. The controversy came to an end when the union government decided to carry out a census in the Tiger state.

The GoI carries out a survey every four years and there was no special occasion or controversy leading to the survey, state authorities maintained. Although sources said that some complaints relating to missing number of Tigers from various forest reserves and sanctuaries had been sent to GoI.

Sources informed that tyhe union government had written to the state Forest department to ensure full compliance of the provisions under the Wildlife (Conservation) Act 1972. This was to reaffirm blanket ban on poaching or any other commercial use of wildlife. Developing infrastructure and facilities for conservation of wildlife.

The Government of India has also written to the Home Department of the state for assistance to combat poachers and bringing to books, criminals violating Wildlife (Conservation) Act. GoI has also informed about initiating wildlife conservation and protection scheme (2002-2006) in MP and provisions therein.

Sources stressed that the special Tiger census team will include one expert from a foreign country who would do the counting of canines in the state, including counting of tigers.

It may be mentioned that the union government is pumping huge amount of funds in the state for conservation and protection of wildlife. The funds have been increased manifolds after the state was declared Tiger state almost three decades ago. The state government and the union government has strived hard to stop poaching in the state since then. In Madhya Pradesh, poaching has been a major problem since pre-independence era as most of the princly states prior to formation of Madhya Pradesh, took hunting as a game. Most of the national leaders and foreigners descended to MP for hunting in the dense forests.

 
SOURCE : Deccan Herald, Monday, May 16, 2005
 


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