With at least three tiger deaths being reported in Uttarakhand this year, wildlife activists have again stressed on the need for strengthening wildlife security. Some have also expressed fears that the actual number of tiger deaths is much higher than the big cat fatalities being reported.
According to official data at least three tiger deaths have been reported from the Corbett tiger landscape in Uttarakhand’s terai region. A tiger was found dead in the Pipal Padav range on March 21 followed by the discovery of another tiger body on April 15 in Terai west forest division after which another body was found on May 3 near the Ramganga in Kalagarh division of Corbett tiger reserve.
Though two of these deaths are still under investigation, Forest Department officials state that natural deaths of the big cats are not a cause for concern. They stress that patrolling and other measures are being undertaken to maintain the desired level of wildlife security.
However, wildlife activists believe that there is still need for improvement. According to Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) State in-charge Rajendra Agarwal, though the tiger deaths reported so far this year are lesser than the fatalities in the corresponding period last year, there is need for further strengthening wildlife security. People for Animals, Uttarakhand member secretary Gauri Maulekhi believes that the actual figure of tiger deaths could be higher than officially reported.
“With the forest department surveillance at an all time low, I fear that in some cases the tiger carcasses are not even being discovered by the department staff. What can one say about the level of wildlife security in the State when the additional principal chief conservator of forests (Wildlife) complains about the PCCF ignoring official letters and information about 100 cases related to poaching and other wildlife crime,” she adds.