Re : Confusion regarding the Tiger census

[Guest guest]

Dear Azam and Pablo,

Census carried out by the government and even by

other agencies are not dependable because of several reasons which

are discussed in Pablo's email. The main problem over here is that

the real numbers are neither ascertained by these so called reliable

census nor disclosed by the concerning government officials, mostly

to save their own skin from the criticism.

 

Recently, tiger census was carried out in Ranthambore National Park

and Sariska Tiger Reserve by the Government of Rajasthan , the

official tiger count is not disclosed as of now, but according to a

reliable government official, " Tiger population has increased upto

56 in Ranthambore due to their (forest dept's) focussed efforts " .

Due to the " efficient " anti-poaching endeavours of the Department

there is no case of poaching.

It is however difficult to imagine that a state where one tiger

reserve has lost its entire tiger population to poachers has another

reserve where there is no case (reported case) of poaching ....

Here, I am stressing on the word " reported " because there are

certain cases which are not even reported in the media.

 

Well, I sincerely wish that all these tall claims of these

Government officials turn true coz in the end I

and all animal lover fraternity would love to see tigers in the

wild. But, the question is why does the Government present fake and

un-reliable census in front of the unaware masses.

 

There is a constant number manipulation going on, regarding the true

count of these big cats but little or no attention is paid towards

improving the natural habitat of the tigers by making strict laws

regarding pollution, encroachment and poaching in the forest areas.

And no attention is paid on the other rules and regulations

regarding the tourists vehicles, cameras and general code of

conduct to be followed in the Natinal Parks.

 

Despite crores of rupees being spent in the name of development of

the National parks the situation is that there are not even enough

forest guards in these Parks and there is a constant dip in the

number of all magnificent wild creatures.

 

Finally, the High Court of Rajasthan has slammed the State

Government for focusing less on the safety of tigers and more on

securing hugely funded projects.The Court has said that the Chief

Conservator and District Forest Officer will now be held personally

responsible if there is any poaching reported in

Ranthambore. Besides fixing responsibility, the Court also wants

better utilisation of the funds for the park through a separate

account meant only for Ranthambore.

 

The High Court has clearly set a string of tiger-friendly guidelines

for Ranthambore.It has also given directions to the concerned

department of the govt to keep the Ranthambore Park

closed for two days in a week, to check the entry of diesel vehicles

in the park, to ban the use of Flashlights and cameras in the area.

The Court has also directed the government to fill all 400 vacancies

of forest guards within six months, as from past 20 years no new

recruitments have been done on the post of forest guards.

 

It is a shame that Government and concerned Depts. are not

performing their duties honestly. So, the Judiciary (High Court and

Supreme Court) had to intervene in these matters and had to give

directions and guidelines to the concerned authorities.

All the directions given by the High Court are normal guidelines

which any prudent man would suggest for the betterment of the

animals, then why is it that only the Judiciary has to wake up the

Govt from its slumber? All these issues should have been taken into

cognizance by the Govt itself.

 

Lets just hope that all these directions given by the HC get

implemented without further delay and the future of the National

Animal of India gets secured atleast to some extent in these

National Parks and Reserved forests of the nation.