No breeding of tigers in Sariska in the last seven years:Mehrothra

Jaipur, Jan 23 (UNI) Lack of breeding is the reason behind the decreasing number of tigers from the Sariska National Park, park authorities said.

R N Mehrotra, the Principal Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, while addressing a national workshop of Environment and Wildlife Reporting said ''there has been no breeding of tigers in the park in the last seven years''.

He cited degradation of the natural habitat, due to increased human presence, as the reason behind the decrease in tiger breeding in the park.

He said the Wildlife Institute of India and state wildlife department have joined hands for the preparation a comprehensive project for the 'reintroduction of tigers' in the park in the next five years.

However, before that can be done, all the eleven villages comprising 150 families have to be relocated outside the park.

In the first phase, 'four priority villages' located in the 'core' of the park will be shifted, he added. In the second phase, the rest of the seven villages would be shifted outside the park.

UNI