ID :
171320
Mon, 03/28/2011 - 13:51
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/171320
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Tiger population rises
New Delhi (PTI) - The tiger population in the
country has risen to 1706 compared to 1411 in 2006 -- a 12 per
cent increase that excludes the big cats of Sundarbans, the
latest Tiger Census said Monday, thanks to sustained
conservation efforts.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, who released the
All India Tiger Estimation Exercise for 2010, said that "the
mid-point range" of tigers in the country is 1706.
The previous census in 2006 did not cover Sundarbans.
"...That is why I am comparing 2006 and 2010.... When
you compare the like with the like, 1411 in 2006 increases to
1636 in 2010. But if you include 70 estimated population in
Sundarban, the total estimated population--there is a lower
limit and there is an upper limit--the mid-point range is 1706
tigers," the Minister said.
Ramesh said when the Sundarban figure is excluded, the
total estimated tiger population figure stands at 1636.
"This figure at 1636 is a 12 per cent increase of 1411
and is welcome news," Ramesh said.
Admitting that there have been higher than normal
tiger mortality figures in 2009 and 2010, he said, "But we
don't report tiger fertility.
"Tiger mortality is headlines. But when it comes to
tiger fertility nobody bothers about it. And remember, this
camera trap method has captured 615 photographs of tigers
which are more than one-and-a-half years old," Ramesh said.
He said tiger occupancy has fallen in tiger
reserves in Central India especially in northern Andhra
Pradesh and in part of Madhya Pradesh corridor.
"The most positive news has been reported from
Naxal-affected Nagarjuna Sagar Tiger Reserve in Andhra
Pradesh. We have estimated the number of tigers there to be
60," the Minister said.
He also said there is positive news from other
Naxal-affected reserves including Indravati (Chattisgarh),
Simlipal (Orissa), Valmiki (Bihar), Palamau (Jharkhand).
The census, which was the most comprehensive and
scientifically conducted exercise so far, used cameras
installed at strategic points like water bodies in forests, as
also in respective territories of big cats.
Computers were used to analyse and collate the data.
The 2006 Census had shown a sharp fall in the number
of tigers in ‘protected areas’ - reserves, national parks and
wildlife sanctuaries - in 19 states across the country.
country has risen to 1706 compared to 1411 in 2006 -- a 12 per
cent increase that excludes the big cats of Sundarbans, the
latest Tiger Census said Monday, thanks to sustained
conservation efforts.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, who released the
All India Tiger Estimation Exercise for 2010, said that "the
mid-point range" of tigers in the country is 1706.
The previous census in 2006 did not cover Sundarbans.
"...That is why I am comparing 2006 and 2010.... When
you compare the like with the like, 1411 in 2006 increases to
1636 in 2010. But if you include 70 estimated population in
Sundarban, the total estimated population--there is a lower
limit and there is an upper limit--the mid-point range is 1706
tigers," the Minister said.
Ramesh said when the Sundarban figure is excluded, the
total estimated tiger population figure stands at 1636.
"This figure at 1636 is a 12 per cent increase of 1411
and is welcome news," Ramesh said.
Admitting that there have been higher than normal
tiger mortality figures in 2009 and 2010, he said, "But we
don't report tiger fertility.
"Tiger mortality is headlines. But when it comes to
tiger fertility nobody bothers about it. And remember, this
camera trap method has captured 615 photographs of tigers
which are more than one-and-a-half years old," Ramesh said.
He said tiger occupancy has fallen in tiger
reserves in Central India especially in northern Andhra
Pradesh and in part of Madhya Pradesh corridor.
"The most positive news has been reported from
Naxal-affected Nagarjuna Sagar Tiger Reserve in Andhra
Pradesh. We have estimated the number of tigers there to be
60," the Minister said.
He also said there is positive news from other
Naxal-affected reserves including Indravati (Chattisgarh),
Simlipal (Orissa), Valmiki (Bihar), Palamau (Jharkhand).
The census, which was the most comprehensive and
scientifically conducted exercise so far, used cameras
installed at strategic points like water bodies in forests, as
also in respective territories of big cats.
Computers were used to analyse and collate the data.
The 2006 Census had shown a sharp fall in the number
of tigers in ‘protected areas’ - reserves, national parks and
wildlife sanctuaries - in 19 states across the country.
