T x 2 by 2022. This is no mathematical riddle. Global Tiger Forum has set to double the number of tigers in all the 13 tiger countries by 2022.
However the million dollar question is how the number of tigers will increase double fold in just another five years timeIJ There remain only 3,200 tigers. Their number is to be doubled in 5 years A majestic but most onerous task.
Chief conservator of forest cum field director PTR, M P Singh told the Pioneer, “The 13 tiger bearing countries have decided in 2010 to increase the number of tigers double fold and for this T x 2 by 2022 mission has been launched. Since it started in 2010 there are 12 years to reach 2022 but since 2017 is on just 5 more years left.”
Asked how to achieve this to which he said, “By improving habitat, prey base, protection and an overall love and care for the tiger which is sadly missing since everyone of us gets in glee to sight a tiger but none bothers as to why these are so vanishing.”
Sources said tiger reserve Palamu is struggling with less than half a dozen tigers and further over the last 10 to 15 years this PTR has not seen any cub. Sources said there was a cub in the nineties Bittu who was the darling of all.
Camera trappings in PTR have only shown adult tigers and no cubs around at all! Sources said no cub is no good sign for any tiger reserve.
PTR field director too concedes there has been no sighting of the cub and that is something one cannot miss to note.
Sources said copulation between male and female tigers can alone ensure cubs and the non sighting of it over the last so many years cast a gloom on the increase in population of the tigers.
A civil society activist Akhtar Zaman said, “Ek adim jan jati mahila ka family planning operation nahi kiya jata hai who isleeyay ki inki abadi kam hai ghat rahi hai theek usseetarah tiger ki aabadi ko barhaney key liye kuch Milan milap programme ki zaroorat hai’. ( A female of PTG is not done family planning operation simply because their number is low and dwindling and like wise something must be done to allow male and female tigers to mate for cubs).”