The Hindu : National : Plea to Manmohan to save tigers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 21, 2007
ePaper

National

National

Plea to Manmohan to save tigers

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Concerned over the depleting tiger population in the country, wildlife lovers and environmentalists have asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to issue a special statement that would facilitate a resolution at the next meeting of the National Development Council, and direct the State Governments to take measures concerning the issue.

Despite measures recommended by various committees, policy statements and the report of the Tiger Task Force, The action taken was inadequate, a joint letter to Dr. Singh pointed out.

Figures of tiger population in central India, based on the ongoing study by the Wildlife Institute of India and National Tiger Conservation Authority, show the gravity of the crisis.

The study shows that in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, the tiger population estimates are down by 50 per cent.

Action needed

“We are dismayed over the initial reaction of the Ministry of Environment and Forests that these are not official figures when the WII is a Government institute. It is also disappointing to hear some State Governments continuing to claim that all is well in their tiger habitats. It is high time the Government accepted that there is a crisis. This is crucial to mobilise and motivate all rungs of the Central and State Governments, as also ordinary citizens, to take action,” the letter said.

The signatories to the letter are: Kalpavriksh, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment, Nature Conservation Foundation, Council for Social Development and Samrakshan.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National