MP reports highest tiger deaths between 2012-2019

Bhopal, Nov 14, : .

Madhya Pradesh reported the highest number tiger deaths from 2012 to 2019, with 36 big cats dying in the state in that year aloneThe increasing number of tiger deaths in almost all the reserves in Madhya Pradesh is not only putting a risk on the tiger state, which it won against Karnataka in 2018, but it has also raised an alarm for forest departments to take more protective measures.

The alarming increase in tigers dying in Madhya Pradeshs reserves is not only putting at risk the tiger State that it won against Karnataka last year, but also causing concern for forest departments who need to take additional protective measures.Madhya Pradesh won the tiger state status in the All India Tiger Estimated Report 2018 by a difference of just two big cats - 526 to Karnatakas 524.Madhya Pradesh was awarded the title of tiger country in the All India Tiger Estimated 2018 Report 2018.This was achieved by only two big cats, 526 versus 524 for Karnataka.

But the state has lost over 200 tigers between 2012 and 2019 (36 till November 13, 2021), followed by 141 in Maharashtra and 123 in Karnataka during the same period.The state lost more than 200 tigers between 2012-2019 (36 to November 13, 2021), followed closely by 141 in Maharashtra, and 123 in Karnataka in the same time.

The Kanha Tiger Reserve, which is popularly known as Kanha-Kisli National Park located in peripheries of two districts Mandla and Balaghat, has reported 43 tiger deaths between 2012 and 2019, the highest in the country.Kanha Tiger Reserve is also known as Kanha Kisli National Park.

It is located in Peripheries of the two districts Mandla & Balaghat.Between 2012 and 2019, 43 tigers died in this reserve.

This number is the highest in the country.Bandhavgarh National Park, another major tiger reserve located in Umaria district (the border between Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh), has reported 38 tiger deaths in the same period.

Bandhavgarh National Park in Umaria district, which is bordered by Madhya Pradesh (and Chhattisgarh) has also reported 38 tiger deaths during the same period.Pench National Park or Pench Wildlife Sanctuary, which is located between two Sioni and Chhindwara districts, has lost 17 tigers, while Satpura Tiger Reserve in Hoshangabad district and Sanjay-Dubri in Sidhi district have lost three and four, respectively, according to the National Tiger Conservation Authoritys report.

Pench National Park, or Pench Wildlife Sanctuary is situated between two Sioni districts and Chhindwara.According to the National Tiger Conservation Authority report, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Hoshangabad, and Sanjay-Dubri, in Sidhi, have lost three and four respectively.

However, the officials in the reserves were of the view that the tiger population has continued to grow and it never decreased despite the deaths.Officials in the reserves maintained that the tiger population had not declined despite the deaths.

These dispersing tigers often ended up falling victim to wire traps, poachers and human-animal conflicts.Many of these dispersing tigers ended up being victims to poachers, wire traps, and human-animal conflict.

Surprisingly, in the past fortnight, two tigers were reported dead which were fitted with radio-collared mechanism.Surprisingly two tigers who were equipped with radio-collared mechanisms were killed in the last fortnight "Security system of tigers at each reserve need to be strengthen with modern mechanism.

Modern mechanisms are needed to strengthen the security system for tigers in each reserve.Death of the two radio-collared tigers in have created another challenge because the mechanism was considered to be secured in terms of locating movement and other activities of tigers.

The deaths of two radio-collared Tigers in the Kanha National Park have presented a challenge as the mechanism was thought to be secure in terms of tracking movement and other activities.Increasing population and territorial fights among them are another big concern which needs more attention," said a senior wildlife official at the Kanha National Park.

"The increasing population and territorial disputes among them is another major concern that needs to be addressed," stated a Kanha National Park senior wildlife official.Meanwhile, wildlife activists told IANS said that situation is unlikely to improve until a Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) is formed and deployed in reserves.

IANS was informed by wildlife activists that the situation will not improve until a Special Tiger Protection Force is created and deployed in reserves.In 2000 when the number of tigers were on a decline due to human interferences, increasing incidents of poaching and trafficking, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had recommended states having tiger reserves to set up STPF.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), which was responsible for recommending that states with tiger reserves set up STPF in 2000, when the number of tigers was declining due to poaching and increasing trafficking, had established STPF.Following the recommendation, Odisha, Karnataka and Maharashtra ormed STPFs.

The recommendation was accepted by Odisha, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, who were given STPFs.However, Madhya Pradesh is yet to set-up such a force.

Madhya Pradesh has yet to establish such a force.In 2014, the Madhya Pradesh High Court on the basis of a plea filed by wildlife activist Ajay Dube had directed the state government to set up an STPF.

A plea by Ajay Dube, a wildlife activist, was used as a basis for a 2014 Madhya Pradesh High Court order to the state government setting up an STPF.The court had directed the state forest department to submit a reply on the matter.

The court ordered the state forest department of the state to respond "The state government replied that it is working on the process."The state government responded that it was working on the matter.

Soon, I am going to request the High Court to seek a reply on development," Dube said.Dube stated that he would soon request the High Court for a response on development "The forest department is reluctant to set up an STPF because they are also involved in the nexus of tiger poaching and trafficking.

"The forest department is reluctant about setting up an STPF as they are involved in tiger poaching, trafficking and other illegal activities.They are well aware that once the STPF is deployed in forest areas, their illegal activities will be stopped," he added.

He said that they are aware that illegal activities will stop once the STPF has been deployed in forest areas." According to the NTCAs data, out of 857 tigers died in India between 2012 and 2020, 55.8 per cent (478) have have died inside reserves, 31.6 per cent (271) were outside these boundaries, and 12.6 per cent (108) were seizures.The NTCA data shows that of the 857 tigers who died in India between 2012-2020, 55.7 per cent (478) were within reserves.31.6 per cent (271), however, were outside these boundaries and 12.6 percent (108) were taken into custody.pd/ksk/ #tiger.