Conservation of Tigers is needed

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Conservation of Tigers is needed

CONDITIONS OF TIGERS IN INDIAINDIAS tiger habitats may be shrinking but its tiger population has increased, claims the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). On March 28, the ministry announced 295 tigers have been added to the previous estimatethe 2006 count had estimated 1,411 tigers in the wild, spurring corporate-sponsored save-the-tiger campaigns revolving around the number.The latest census, conducted between December 2009 and December 2010, says the tiger population now is 1,706; the figure is not an actual head count but an estimate. Some conservationists are sceptical about the dramatic increase. MoEF officials claim the tigers have increased because of conservation efforts, new areas being surveyed and improved counting system. The latest survey used a double sampling process, says Y Jhala, senior scientist with the Wildlife Institute of India, who coordinated the census study. Field information about tiger signs, prey availability, habitat conditions and threat from human disturbances were collected by forest patrol units (see Cat count, Down To Earth, April 15, 1998). In addition to this, the camera-trap method was used in select sample areas covering 10,500 sq km or 14.4 per cent of the total area of 72,800 sq km .

A century ago there were 100,000 tigers roaming the forests, swamps, and tundra of Asia. Today, there are as few as 3,200 left in the wild. Only 7% of historic tiger habitat still contains tigers. At this rate, wild tigers will be extinct in just a few decades.

Tigers In the News1.Greens, Cops, Forest Dept Join Hands to Check Poaching Feb 5With the recent arrests of poachers and the recovery of tiger pelts, police, forest department officials and wildlife enthusiasts are working together to curb poaching in tiger reserves and sanctuaries.2.Hejje, mobile application for tracking tigers launched Feb 5Tiger-tracking and wildlife conservation have a new mobile application for vigorous monitoring and better coordination of anti-poaching camp personnel at Bandipur.3.Tiger count begins at Ranthambore park Feb 3The Ranthambore reserve is embarking on phase IV of tiger monitoring as part of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) protocol for all tiger reserves for a national figure on big cats.4.Wild Tigers: the Time to Act Is Now Jan 30Tigers are in trouble. The largest of the worlds cats, a species thats existed for two million years, is slipping away before our eyes. Few realize that just 3,000 tigers remain in the wild.5.Top Photos: 20 Years Camera-trapping Indias Elusive Carnivores Jan 27Owing to the enormous effort invested in such camera trap surveys in the Western Ghats, WCS-India database now has more than 750 uniquely identifiable tigers.