(IN): Project Tiger not a success

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*Project Tiger not a success*

 

NDTV Correspondent

Wednesday, February 13, 2008 (New Delhi)

Number of tigers in India has gone down considerably, according to the

latest census report on tigers.

 

India had 1827 tigers when Project Tiger was set 35 years ago, however, the

number has now gone down to 1411, as per the census figures.

 

If these figures are to be believed, the project to save the big cat has

been a big failure.

 

The burden of the project is shared between the Centre and the states since

1980. Prior to that, it was fully funded by the Centre.

 

The initial response was good with the setting up of over 20 project tiger

parks. Even the number of tigers seemed to go up then.

 

The euphoria, however, did not last long. Though the experts said that the

methods used were the cause of the failure, poaching too was a concern.

 

But the project tiger website says, ''Wireless communication systems and

outstation petrol camps have been developed within the tiger reserves, due

to which poaching has declined considerably.''

 

The latest tiger census has squarely blamed poaching and habitat loss for

the decline in numbers.

 

It brings up two uncomfortable questions as well. The first being that if

the numbers stated earlier were accurate, how does Project Tiger explains

the loss of over 50 per cent of the tiger population in less than seven

years?

 

And secondly that if the numbers were fudged, then what the cause of it was?

 

Forest guards are ill equipped and don't get paid on time. There are over 30

per cent vacancies in most national parks. Besides, there is lack of

co-ordination when it comes to intelligence gathering on poaching and

massive encroachments.

 

Inadequate buffer zones also remain a concern. Adding to the misery is the

local communities being kept isolated from conservation programmes.

 

The only response the government has had so far is to set up yet another

tiger conservation authority.

 

The much needed wildlife bureau, with a coordinated intelligence network

needed to stop poaching, is yet to take off.

 

This, truly, is a national disgrace to the national animal.

 

 

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