Poaching, forest degradation main causes of tiger loss: Govt

New Delhi, Sep 6 (UNI) The tiger estimation figures relating to Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra indicate a decline in the population of the big cat, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Poaching, lack of protection outside sanctuaries and loss of forests were the main reasons for decline in the tiger population, Minister of State for Environment and Forests R Regupathy said in a written reply.

Besides, massive degradation of forests outside tiger reserves has taken place due to human pressure, livestock pressure and ecologically unsustainable land uses. Loss of forest quality interms of prey biomass have also contributed greatly to the loss of tiger population, he said.

Tiger deaths due to man-animal conflict, fragmentation leading to loss of gene flow from source population and loss of reproduction due to disturbance on account of heavily used infrastructure like highways etc.

He said the Government had recently taken a number of steps to enhance protection of tigers.

The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 has been amended for inserting enabling provisions for constitution of the National Tiger Conservation Authority for tiger and other endangered species, he said.

Moreover, approval in principle has also been given for creating eight new tiger reserves, the minister informed.

UNI