Tiger population dwindles in MP

Bhopal, July 18 (UNI) Admitting that tiger population has dwindled in Madhya Pradesh, the government today told the Assembly that no officer was responsible for the decline in the number of tigers, which stood at 232 as per the latest survey.

In a written reply to Dr Nishith Patel(Cong), Forest Minister Himmat Kothari said since no officer was responsible for the decline in tiger population, there was no question of taking disciplinary action.

Habitat improvement, strengthening of information system, intensive patrolling, check on forest offences, eco-development and phased eviction of forest dwellers from core area of tiger reserves were planned for conservation of tigers, he said.

Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India, in a report in May this year, has estimated the tiger population in the state's five tiger reserves at Kanha -89, Bandhavgarh- 47, Panna-24, Pench-33 and Satpura-39.

The Minister did not specify the number of tigers in the last count saying no wildlife census was carried out last year.

In reply to another question by Mr Bahadur Singh Chouha, Mr Kothari said a total of 46 antelopes were killed in Ujjain's Vikram Vatika in the last decade. Of them, 8 antelopes were killed by dogs on June 15 this year, while 12 died due to diseases.

The antelopes were being shifted to a sanctuary and no Forest official was found responsible for the death of antelopes, Mr Kothari added.

UNI