Centre seeks info from states to help monitor tiger reserves
NEW DELHI: As part of an initiative to centrally monitor tiger reserves in the country, the Central government has written to states asking them to compile information on all 50 reserves, officials familiar with developments said on Wednesday.
The Union environment ministry is compiling a database on a management information system (MIS) with the information, national tiger conservation authority (NTCA) officials said. The information sought includes relocation of villages from core area, digitisation of reserve boundaries; and status of forest staff. The MIS is expected to be implemented this year officials said and interactions with tiger reserves have already started.
India now has 2,967 tigers, or 7 out of every 10 big cats in the wild in the world, according to the All India Tiger Estimation Results released in 2019. The number reflects a 33% increase over 2014 when there were 2,226 tigers in the country. That number itself was an improvement over 2010 (1,706) and 2006 (1,411).
During the launch of the ‘India State of Forest Report, 2021’ on January 13, environment minister Bhupender Yadav had said the Centre has written to all principal chief conservators of forests about collating and submitting the information related to their divisions on forests, biodiversity, human animal conflict and others.
“The MIS will involve digitising the boundary of reserves; status of staff both contractual and permanent; arms and ammunition; anti-poaching activities,” said a senior NTCA official familiar with the process.