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Missing tigers: probe ordered

Staff Reporter

Probe commissioned to counter allegations of irregularities in figures

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan Government on Wednesday ordered an enquiry into the missing tigers of Ranthambhore National Park.

The State Government has entrusted the job to Alka Kala, Principal Secretary, Women and Child Development. She has been asked to submit her report on Ranthambhore in a month.

In May-June 2005, the figures of the tiger census were announced. The figures, released by V.P. Singh, chairman of the Empowered Committee on Forests and Wildlife Management set up by the Rajasthan Government, indicated a decline in the number of tigers from 46 (inclusive of six tigers in the neighbouring Kailadevi and one tiger in Sawai Man Singh Sanctuary) in 2003-04 to 26. The State Empowered Committee, which is on an extension, is also supposed to find out the reasons for the decline in the number of tigers.

Besides, there is the much-awaited report from the Central Tiger Task Force, headed by Sunita Narain, which is expected to submit its report to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by the end of the month.

Rajasthan Minister for Forest and Environment Laxmi Narain Dave, who announced the new enquiry committee, said: "The State Government has ordered the investigation to counter any allegations of irregularities in the census figures."

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