Maharashtra has 169 tigers, substantial increase in 4 yrs

Mumbai, Mar 30: Maharashtra has a tiger population of 169 as per the latest count, the state legislative assembly was informed here today.

The number has gone up from 103 to 169 in four years, said Forest Minister Patangrao Kadam.

The tiger population has gone up from 53 to 69 in Tadoba, and from 30 to 35 in Melghat, Kadam said.

In Sahadyri-Sindhudurg, there are 21 tigers, Nagjira-Navegaon - 20, Bor - 12, Pench and other reserves - 12; from a total of 20 in 2006, he said.

Maharashtra ranks after Uttarakhand in terms of increase in the tiger population, followed by Assam, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the minister told the House.

The tiger-census was carried out in three phases last year, adding that across the country, number of tigers has gone up from 1411 (in 2006) to 1706.

PTI