Tiger number rises in India, but vanishes from three parks 

Pallavi Kulkarni  Tuesday 30th of July 2019 10:12 AM
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An Indian tiger in the wild.

New Delhi: According to the latest national tiger census released, on Monday, by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, there has been nearly 33 per cent rise in the number of tigers in India. July 29 is observed as “World Tiger Day”.

The count of tigers has reached to 2,967 compared to the count of 2,226 in 2014. The report revealed that India has already achieved the goal set for 2022 by the world’s tiger range countries at an international conference in St Petersburg, Russia, in 2010.

Madhya Pradesh tops the chart with 526 tigers, followed by Karnataka with 524 and Uttarakhand with 442 tigers. However, NTCA has also reported that tigers have totally vanished from three reserves including Buxa in Bengal, Palamau in Jharkhand and Dampa Tiger Reserve in Mizoram.

The report published by NTCA has cautioned that areas in the northeast hills and Odisha need immediate attention as tiger population in these areas are critically vulnerable. Nameri in Assam and Pakke in Arunachal Pradesh also reported decline in the tiger population.

According to the report, other factors that need to be paid attention are 50 per cent of sanctioned staff posts at the forest guard level are vacant and more anti-poaching camps need to be established in the southern islands to prevent the killings of tigers.

While describing India as among the most secure habitats for tigers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India needs to create a balance of environmental sustainability and economic growth.

“India will build more roads, and India will have cleaner rivers. … India will build more homes for our citizens and at the same time create quality habitats for animals,” Modi said.

Ravi Singh, the chief executive officer with WWF India too expressed satisfaction over rise in the number of tiger population. In a media statement, he said: “Given the immense pressure on India’s biodiversity, the current estimates are encouraging and speak of commitment of the government, local communities and the support of citizens.”

The national census has covered area around four lakh square km in 20 tiger-occupied states across the country. Over 26,300 cameras were installed that have captured 2,500 individual tigers and rest have been surveyed through habitat analysis, prey availability and direct and indirect sightings. 


 

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