'Natural' deaths of tigers in habitat result of fight: CAG

New Delhi, Aug 30 (UNI) Most cases of tiger deaths in wildlife reserves treated as natural have been found to be the result of fighting among themselves.

The fact has been brought out in the 2005-2006 CAG report on Tiger Reserves.

During 2000-05, out of 19 cases of tiger mortality reported in Madhya Pradesh, 13 were from Kanha Tiger Reserve. And though all these cases were reporteed as natural deaths, the vet report indicated that most of them died due to fighting among themselves.

The mutually distructive behaviour of tigers is caused by insular living which results due to the absence of linkages and corridors between wildlife reserves.

The National Wildlife Action Plan has emphasized the need for identification of such corridors and their restoration so as to provide greater movement of the wild animals in the interest which would ensure gene continuity and prevent insular animal population.

A report on the spatial distribution of tigers and status habitat connecting corridors in tiger reserves in 17 states having tiger population has been prepared by the Project Tiger but it is yet to be implemented.

The need for the establishment of a network of corridors was recommended in review report of the steering committee of the project way back in 1985.

The Special Task Force decided in 1972 to create tiger reserves with an average area of 1500 sq km with at least 300 sq km as the core area.

However, the 15 Reserves created under the Project Tiger have less than 720 sq km, less than half of the prescribed. In six out of these 15-- Palamau, Ranthambore, Pench(MP), Tadoba-Andhari, Bhadra and Pench(Maharashtra), even the core area was less than the prescribed 300 sq km. In 14 of them, there were human settlements.

The CAG pointed out that if a wildlife habitat is small, it will have small population of top cranivores like tiger. Small populations promote inbreeding and therefore remain vulnerable due to inadequate genetic diversity.

UNI NAZ VA RN1335