Tiger population dwindles in Uttaranchal ( India )

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Tiger population dwindles in Uttaranchal ( www.ndtv.com )

 

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NDTV Correspondent

Sunday, July 31, 2005 (Dehradun):

 

An extensive wildlife census carried out in 12 national parks and

sanctuaries across Uttaranchal has shed some light on the tiger

population in the state.

 

The census was carried out by 2290 teams all over the state.

 

According to the latest figures, the tiger population has dwindled

from 251 to 241 in the past four years.

 

Geographical limits

 

State's Forest Minister Nav Prabhat blames the estimates on the

roaming cats whose territory might exceed geographical limits of the

state.

 

" Our staff counts tigers according to the protected territory or

zone in which they roam. Sometimes, tigers as well as elephants

cross onto non-protected zones, " he said.

 

" We will first put the count of both these zones together and then

cross check the figures of the tiger population along the Uttar

Pradesh border and will then know the exact standing of tiger

figures, " the minister added.

 

Breeding tigresses

 

For the first time, a census of breeding tigress was done and 18

healthy tigresses were located and yet there has been a nominal

increase in tiger population.

 

" In the first place it is a very difficult job to spot a breeding

tigress as it is extra shy and the cubs are extra shy and that is

why we can't get to those tigresses all the time, " said Srikant

Chandola, Chief Wildlife Warden, Uttaranchal.

 

" But these are the tigresses that have been seen and whose the

plaster cards been taken for the same and so we stand any

verification that these tigress exists in our state, " he added.

 

The Forest Ministry hopes that with Spatial Mapping of Tigers that

will be start from November, this year will give an accurate

increased estimate of big cats present in Uttaranchal.