India fears China's Year of the Tiger could encourage poaching

New Delhi, Jan 7 (ANI): Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh has said that the demand of tiger skins and bones could increase in 2010 as China observes the Year of the Tiger.

Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, Ramesh said: "This year China is celebrating Year of the Tiger. We are concerned that because of this demand of the tiger parts would increase and it would promote poaching."

Ramesh also appreciated China issuing a series of the directives to prevent illegal trade of tiger parts.

"This is the first step taken by China and we are happy that China has agreed that it has an important role to play in tiger conservation," he said.

In India there are around 1,140 tigers left in the wild. Indian government has been taking several steps to save the big cats.

China has been under immense pressure from the international community to take steps to stop tiger farming and trade in tiger parts. (ANI)