No tigers in Sariska, Rajasthan govt admits

The Indian Express , Saturday, March 04, 2006
Correspondent : Staff Reporter
JAIPUR, MARCH 3: The Rajasthan government today conceded in the Assembly that there are no tigers left in the Sariska reserves and their numbers have fallen drastically in the Ranthambhore reserves over the past two years. Replying to a question in the Assembly, Forest Minister Laxmi Narayan Dave said tigers have been wiped out of the Sariska forests while their numbers in Ranthambhore have declined from 72 to 26 since 2003. The minister blamed poachers and the constant pressure on the reserves from tourists and villagers from the decline.

He said there were 72 tigers in Ranthambhore in 2003 and 63 in 2004. But, according to the 2005 census, their population had come down to 26. The minister ruled out the possibly of inflated figures in the past census. “The census data can’t be doubted,” he said.

In his written statement, the minister said other species of the tiger family were also under threat. “The leopard population declined from 590 to 470 in the state’s sanctuaries and parks in the last one year,” the minister said. Dave said the tigers had died due to poaching and the pressure on the forests and their environment.

The minister said the government had taken steps to check poaching. As per the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, minimum imprisonment for poaching has been raised from seven to 10 years and the minimum fine to Rs 25,000, the minister said. Poaching has been made a non-bailable offence, and trials would be conducted on priority basis, he said.

WWF welcomes India joining anti-trafficking pact with US

New Delhi: Lauding India’s consent to join the Global Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking (CAWT), WWF-India has welcomed the agreement between India and the US for establishing international law enforcement operations. ‘‘We hope this agreement saves some of our tigers and other wildlife,” said PK Sen, director, Tiger and Wildlife Division, WWF-India.

 
SOURCE : The Indian Express, Saturday, March 04, 2006
 


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