The Beasts are back & in Style!!!

Tiger

     Tigers are back in the Indian Jungles......yes, the recent census conducted by National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Institue of India jointly has come up with total tiger count of 1706, up from 1411 in 2006. The percentage increase is a whopping 16% in just 4 years. The numbers have gone up substantially in southern states with forest ranges of Nagarcoil, Bandipur, Madumalai, Wayand where the total increased by almost 300. Also Corbett has shown good increase in the total population with increase of around 50 tigers from the last census.

Maharashtra is also one of the leading states with tiger count going up from 103 to 169. This shows that efforts by the state wildlife department after the recent national outburst has finally woken up the sleeping officials and they have indeed worked upon it.


The highlight of this count was the more advanced techniques used to accurately count the numbers. In 2006 only pub marks were used to count them. But this time more accurate measures have been adapted. Video trapping and satellite data were used to come to the actual figures. Experts like K Ullas Karanth promoted the idea behind camera tapping which has helped immensely in the census.

 Also, the Sunderban tigers were not included in the last census. This time around they have also been included which increased the total by another 70 tigers. The north eastern states also contributed with another 148 tigers where they are prominently found in the North east hills and Brahmaputra flood plains.
But there's also some bad news with the tiger habitat shrinking by almost 20,000 sq kms!! So Buck up guys, we need to continue with the good work as this is a continued process and nothing substantial has been acheived in a fortnight or so. Our officials need to keep a strict vigil on the poachers and their operations which is only possible with the active participation of locals and the Vigilance Department.


Finally there's should be some smile on faces of people like Bittu Sehgal and Belinda Wright who have strived hard to highlight the issues for so many years and worked very closely for Tiger Conservation. I really admire them!!