Discussion on Tiger in Indian Parliament Rajya Sabha, Budget Session,& Monsoon Session, 2016 Q.NO. Q Type Date Ministry Member Title Environment, Forest & Tigers in Jim Corbet 1546 Unstarred 01.08.2016 Climate Change Shri Parvez Hashmi National Park Environment, Forest & 737 Unstarred 25.07.2016 Climate Change Shri Shadi Lal Batra Population of tigers Environment, Forest & Asia Ministerial Climate Change Conference on Tiger 742 Unstarred 25.07.2016 Shri B.K. Hariprasad Conservation Environment, Forest & 744 Unstarred 25.07.2016 Climate Change Smt. Ambika Soni Population of wild animals Environment, Forest & Shri D. Kupendra 745 Unstarred 25.07.2016 Climate Change Reddy Poaching of tigers Environment, Forest & Delay in release of funds 56 Unstarred 18.07.2016 Climate Change Shri Harivansh for tiger conservation Environment, Forest & Shri Md. Nadimul Financing pattern of Project 1638 Unstarred 09.05.2016 Climate Change Haque Tiger Environment, Forest & Guidelines for protection of 1642 Unstarred 09.05.2016 Climate Change Shri Tiruchi Siva tiger corridors Environment, Forest & Tigers and panthers in 1658 Unstarred 09.05.2016 Climate Change Dr. Chandan Mitra Panna Tiger Reserve Environment, Forest & Shri Mahendra Singh 824 Unstarred 02.05.2016 Climate Change Mahra Funds under Project Tiger Environment, Forest & Shri V.P. Singh 836 Unstarred 02.05.2016 Climate Change Badnore Tiger Protection Force Environment, Forest & Shri Hishey Reduction of funds for 842 Unstarred 02.05.2016 Climate Change Lachungpa Project Tiger Environment, Forest & Shri D. Kupendra 844 Unstarred 02.05.2016 Climate Change Reddy Increase in wild tiger count Environment, Forest & 44 Unstarred 25.04.2016 Climate Change Shri Anil Desai Rise in Man animal conflict Environment, Forest & Death of big cats in Climate Change reserved forests of 1803 Unstarred 14.03.2016 Shri Rajkumar Dhoot Maharashtra Environment, Forest & Shri Dilip Kumar 1809 Unstarred 14.03.2016 Climate Change Tirkey Endangered species Environment, Forest & Guidelines to study 1787 Unstarred 14.03.2016 Climate Change Shri Salim Ansari behaviour of tigers Shri Md. Nadimul Tiger Trail Circuit Train in 64 Starred 22.07.2016 Railways Haque Sunderbans
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1546 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2016
Tigers in Jim Corbet National Park
1546. SHRI PRAVEZ HASHMI:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the number of tigers have increased in the Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand and if so, the total number of tigers, as in June, 2015; (b) whether Government is having any plan to frame better schemes to preserve these tigers; (c) whether Government is providing extra funds to preserve tigers there; and (d) if so, the total extra amount contributed by Government?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)
(a) As per the Status of Tigers, Co-predators and Prey in India, 2014, total number of tigers in the Corbett Tiger Reserve is 215 (169-261 range). The Corbett Tiger Reserve has had a stable tiger population for the past 5 years which is the highest in any single protected area across the country. As the area is already functioning at its biological carrying capacity, an increase in tiger numbers is not expected.
(b), (c) & (d) The Government of India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority has taken a number of initiatives for conservation and protection of tiger and other wild animals, and the same are at Annexure-I. All tiger reserves are funded under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger based on the Annual Plan of Operations as per prescriptions of the Tiger Conservation Plan and subject to compliance of various statutory requirements. Funding assistance given under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger during last three years, inter alia, including State of Uttarakhand, State-wise, are at Annexure-II.
***
ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (b), (c) & (d) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1546 ON TIGERS IN JIM CORBET NATIONAL PARK DUE FOR REPLY ON 01.08.2016
Government of India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority has taken a number of initiatives for conservation and protection of tiger and other wild animals
Legal steps
1. Amendment of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 in 2006 to provide enabling provisions for constituting the National Tiger Conservation Authority under section 38 IV B and the Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau under section 38 IV C.
2. Enhancement of punishment for offence in relation to the core area of a tiger reserve or where the offence relate to hunting in the tiger reserves or altering the boundaries of tiger reserves, etc.
3. Comprehensive guidelines under section 38O 1 (c) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 issued for Project Tiger and Tourism in Tiger Reserves on 15th October, 2012.
Administrative steps
4. Constitution of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) with effect from the 4th September, 2006, for strengthening tiger conservation by, interalia, ensuring normative standards in tiger reserve management, preparation of reserve specific tiger conservation plan, laying down annual audit report before Parliament, constituting State level Steering Committees under the Chairmanship of Chief Ministers and establishment of Tiger Conservation Foundation.
5. Constitution of a multidisciplinary Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau) with effect from the 6th June, 2007 to effectively control illegal trade in wildlife.
6. Strengthening of antipoaching activities, including special strategy for monsoon patrolling, by providing funding support to tiger reserve States, as proposed by them, for deployment of antipoaching squads involving ex-army personnel or home guards, apart from workforce comprising of local people, in addition to strengthening of communication and wireless facilities.
7. The in-principle approval has been accorded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority for creation of new tiger reserves, and the sites are: Ratapani (Madhya Pradesh), Sunabeda (Odisha) and Guru Ghasidas (Chhattisgarh). The State Governments have been advised to send proposals for declaring the following areas as tiger reserves: (i) Suhelwa (Uttar Pradesh), (ii) Mhadei Sanctuary (Goa), (iii) Srivilliputhur Grizzled Giant Squirrel / Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuaries / Varushanadu Valley (Tamil Nadu), (iv) Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary (Arunachal Pradesh) and (v) Cauveri-MM Hills (Karnataka).
8. Rajaji National Park (Uttarakhand) & Orang National Park (Assam) have been declared / notified as 48th & 49th Tiger Reserves. Besides the recently notified tiger reserves include: Kawal (Telangana), Sathyamangalam (Tamil Nadu), Mukandra Hills (Rajasthan), Nawegaon-Nagzira (Maharashtra), Amrabad (erstwhile Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve portion) (Telangana), Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh) and Bor (Maharashtra).
9. The revised Project Tiger guidelines have been issued to State Governments for strengthening tiger conservation, which apart from ongoing activities, inter alia, include financial support to States for enhanced village relocation or rehabilitation package for people living in core or critical tiger habitats (from Rs. 1 lakh per family to Rs. 10 lakhs per family), rehabilitation or resettlement of communities involved in traditional hunting, mainstreaming livelihood and wildlife concerns in forests outside tiger reserves and fostering corridor conservation through restorative strategy to arrest habitat fragmentation.
10. A scientific methodology for estimating tiger (including co-predators, prey animals and assessment of habitat status) has been evolved and mainstreamed. The findings of this estimation and assessment are bench marks for future tiger conservation strategy.
11. The 18 tiger States have notified the core/critical tiger habitat (39788.12 sq. km.), and the buffer/peripheral area (31250.45 sq.km.) of all the 49 tiger reserves in the country, under section 38V of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006.
12. Regional Offices of the National Tiger Conservation Authority are operational at Nagpur, Bengaluru and Guwahati headed by an Inspector General of Forests.
Financial steps
13. Financial and technical help is provided to the State Governments under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes, such as “Project Tiger” and “Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats” for enhancing the capacity and infrastructure of the State Governments for providing effective protection to wild animals.
International Cooperation
14. India has a bilateral understanding with Nepal on controlling trans-boundary illegal trade in wildlife and conservation, apart from a protocol on tiger conservation with China.
15. A protocol has been signed in September, 2011 with Bangladesh for conservation of the Royal Bengal Tiger of the Sunderban.
16. A sub-group on tiger and leopard conservation has been constituted for cooperation with the Russian Federation.
17. India is the founder member of the Global Tiger Forum of Tiger Range Countries for addressing international issues related to tiger conservation.
18. During the 14th meeting of the Conference of Parties to CITES, which was held from 3rd to 15th June, 2007 at The Hague, India introduced a resolution along with China, Nepal and the Russian Federation, with direction to Parties with operations breeding tigers on a commercial scale, for restricting such captive populations to a level supportive only to conserving wild tigers. The resolution was adopted as a decision with minor amendments. Further, India made an intervention appealing to China to phase out tiger farming and eliminate stockpiles of Asian big cats body parts and derivatives. The importance of continuing the ban on trade of body parts of tigers was emphasized.
19. Based on India’s strong intervention during the 62nd meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) at Geneva from 23-27 July, 2012, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Secretariat has issued a notification No. 2012/054 dated the 3rd September, 2012 to Parties to fully implement Decision 14.69 and report to the Secretariat by 25 September, 2012 (Progress made on restricting captive breeding operations of tigers etc.).
20. The 3rd Asia Ministerial Conference (3 AMC) was organized in New Delhi from 12-14 April 2016. Inspired by the statement of Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, during this conference that “conservation of tigers is not a choice, it is an imperative”, to achieve the concrete results of ensuring the conservation of tigers in the wild and their habitats by 2022, the representatives of the Governments of the Tiger Range Countries resolved to:
. Accelerate implementation of the Global Tiger Recovery Programme (GTRP)/National Tiger Recovery Programme (NTRP) and agreed actions from the above-mentioned declarations, review and update priority and differentiated action plans, and track progress through mutual and systematic reporting and evaluation. . Align development and tiger conservation in a mutually complementary manner by re- orienting development strategies to mainstream the concerns of tiger conservation, such as by integrating tiger and wildlife safeguards in infrastructure at the landscape level, developing partnerships with business groups, and strong engagement with local stakeholders. . Leverage funding and technical support from international organisations, bilateral and multilateral financial institutions, foundations, civil society organisations, private sector, and climate funds, in addition to TRC governments. . Recognise and enhance the importance of tiger habitats by promoting them as providing ecosystem services, as engines of economic growth and helping to address climate change. . Emphasize recovery of tiger populations in areas with low tiger densities and restoration in areas from which they have been extirpated by using successful programs of tiger reintroduction and rehabilitation of their habitats and prey. . Strengthen co-operation at the highest levels of government to combat wildlife crime, address the demand for tiger products, and increase formal and informal transboundary coordination. . Enhance knowledge sharing and capacity development for all stakeholders and increase the use of technology, including smart tools, monitoring protocols, and information systems, to improve management effectiveness.
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS STEPS
21. Creation of Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF): The Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) has been made operational in the States of Karnataka (Bandipur), Maharashtra (Pench and Tadoba-Andhari) and Odisha (Similipal), out of 13 initially selected tiger reserves, with 60% central assistance under the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger. In-principle approval has been accorded for creation of the said force in Nawegoan-Nagzira, Melghat (Maharashtra), Kawal and Amrabad (erstwhile Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve portion) Tiger Reserves (Telangana).
22. In collaboration with TRAFFIC-INDIA, an online tiger crime data base has been launched, and Generic Guidelines for preparation of reserve specific Security Plan has been evolved.
23. Implementing a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with tiger States, linked to fund flows for effective implementation of tiger conservation initiatives.
24. Steps taken for modernizing the infrastructure and field protection, besides launching ‘Monitoring system for Tigers’ Intensive Protection and Ecological Status (M-STrIPES)’ for effective field patrolling and monitoring.
25. Steps taken for no-cost involvement of Non-Governmental Experts in the all India tiger estimation.
26. Initiatives taken for improving the field delivery through capacity building of field officials, apart from providing incentives.
27. As a part of active management to rebuild Sariska and Panna Tiger Reserves where tigers have become locally extinct, reintroduction of tigers and tigresses have been done. The successful reintroduction of wild tigers in Sariska is a unique exercise and is the first of its kind in the world. The reintroduced tigresses are breeding. The tiger reintroduction initiative at Panna (MP) has been very successful.
28. Special advisories issued for in-situ build up of prey base and tiger population through active management in tiger reserves having low population status of tiger and its prey.
29. All India Tiger, Co-predators and Prey Estimation, 2014:- The third round of country level tiger status assessment completed in 2014, with the findings indicating an increase with a tiger population estimate of 2226 (lower and upper limits being 1945 and 2491 respectively), as compared to the last country level estimation of 2010, with an estimate of 1706 (lower and upper limits being 1520-1909 tigers), and 2006 estimation, with an estimate of 1411 (lower and upper limits being 1165 and 1657). At present, India has around 70% of tiger population and its source areas amongst the 13 tiger range countries in the world, owing to its long history of conserving the species through Project Tiger (2.12% of country’s geographical area spread out in 49 tiger reserves in 18 States).
30. Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE): A report on Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of Tiger Reserves was released on January, 2015, containing the third round of independent assessment based on refined criteria done in 2013-14 for 43 tiger reserves. Out of 43 tiger reserves, 17 were rated as ‘very good’, 16 as ‘good’ and 10 as ‘fair’.
31. Providing special assistance for mitigation of human-tiger conflicts in problematic areas.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) 32. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ for dealing with tiger deaths has been issued, based on advisories of Project Tiger / National Tiger Conservation Authority, with inputs from Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, State officials and experts, fine tuned to meet the present challenges.
33. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ for dealing with straying tigers in human dominated landscape has been issued.
34. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ for disposing tiger/leopard carcass/body parts has been issued.
35. A Standard Operating Procedure has been issued to deal with orphaned / abandoned tiger cubs and old / injured tigers in the wild.
36. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ has been issued to deal with tiger depredation on livestock.
37. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ has been issued for active management towards rehabilitation of tigers from source areas at landscape level.
38. Launching of Phase-IV tiger reserve level, continuous monitoring of tigers using camera traps and building up data on photo captures of individual tigers.
39. Launching the creation of a national repository of camera trap photo IDs of individual tigers.
40. In-principle approval for use of CAMPA funds towards village relocation from core areas.
41. Under active management, permission accorded for translocation of wilded / straying tigers / tigresses from high to low density reserves within States.
42. Field level workshops for capacity building of field officers to deal with straying tigers.
Recent Steps
43. On completion of e-surveillance project in Corbett Tiger Reserve (Uttarakhand), central assistance (100%) has been provided for installing 24X7 e-surveillance at Kaziranga Tiger Reserve (Assam) and fringe of Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh).
44. Economic Valuation of six tiger reserves done in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Forest Management. Similar exercise is being done for 10 more tiger reserves.
45. Trial of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for monitoring done in the Panna Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh), in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India and now has plan to extend to other tiger reserves too.
46. Assessment of Status, Density and Change in Forest Cover in and around tiger reserves of the Shivalik Gangetic Plain Landscape done in collaboration with the Forest Survey of India.
47. A Rhino Task Force has suggested measures to strengthen rhino protection in the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
48. In-principle approval has been accorded for creation of Rhino Protection Force at Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
49. Supporting a health insurance scheme for forest guards in Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
50. Fostering a voluntary group “Friends for Rhino” for eliciting public support for rhino conservation with active local participation around Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
51. Initiative taken for collaboration with National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) towards evolving an alert system in tiger reserves prone to natural disasters.
52. A joint report with Nepal and Bangladesh has been brought out on the assessment of tiger status in the terai arc landscape.
53. Initiative taken for collaboration of National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau towards an online tiger / wildlife crime tracking / reporting system in tiger reserves.
54. Guidelines for security audit of the tiger reserves have been finalised and is getting validated.
55. Tiger rich areas outside tiger reserves are being monitored or bestowing CA|TS certification.
***
ANNEXURE-II
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (b), (c) & (d) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1546 ON TIGERS IN JIM CORBET NATIONAL PARK DUE FOR REPLY ON 01.08.2016
Funding assistance given under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger during last three years, inter alia, including State of Uttarakhand, State-wise
(Rs. in lakhs)
2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 Sl. No. States Released Released Released
1 Andhra Pradesh 211.7804 184.141 0.00 2 Arunachal Pradesh 757.1705 658.426 429.53900 3 Assam 808.9665 1509.389 1425.4130 4 Bihar 285.0898 317.096 223.55051 5 Chhattisgarh 583.056 609.827 398.94500 6 Jharkhand 251.168 199.080 47.98470 7 Karnataka 2016.0318 1565.773 1378.19440 8 Kerala 489.296 517.5351 396.60100 9 Madhya Pradesh 4815.734 4335.118 1421.00700 10 Maharashtra 3453.3483 3425.524 3923.07890 11 Mizoram 233.68 232.189 187.98450 12 Odisha 786.9 707.391 544.80052 13 Rajasthan 512.848 627.192 1257.80800 14 Tamil Nadu 763.255 864.316 1950.17128 15 Uttarakhand 384.045 391.1941 683.98538 16 Uttar Pradesh 525.876 760.928 624.54630 17 West Bengal 348.516 596.882 376.50781 18 Goa 2.05 0.00 0.00 19 Telangana 0.00 0.00 214.81920 Total 17,228.81133 17,502.00 15,484.9365
***
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 737 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2016
Population of tigers
737. SHRI SHADI LAL BATRA:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) the total population of tigers in the country; (b) whether India subscribes to the goal of doubling the tiger population by 2020; (c) if so, the details thereof; and (d) the initiative being taken by Government under Project Tiger programme?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)
(a) The details of tiger population in the country for the years 2010 and 2014 are at Annexure-I.
(b) & (c) Yes Sir. A resolution was made by all the tiger range countries during the St. Petersburg Summit on Tiger Conservation (2010) to double the number of wild tigers in the tiger range countries by 2022. India is also a party to the said resolution.
(d) Several milestone initiatives have been taken by the Government of India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority for protection and conservation of tigers and other wild animals, and the same are at Annexure-II.
***
ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 737 ON POPULATION OF TIGERS DUE FOR REPLY ON 25.07.2016
Details of tiger estimation pertaining to tiger landscapes in the country, for the years 2010 and 2014
Tiger Population
State 2010 2014 Increase / Decrease / Stable Shivalik-Gangetic Plain Landscape Complex Uttarakhand 227 (199-256) 340 Increase Uttar Pradesh 118 (113-124) 117 Stable Bihar 8 (-) 28 Increase Shivalik Gangetic 353 (320-388) 485 (427-543) Increase Central Indian Landscape Complex and Eastern Ghats Landscape Complex
Andhra Pradesh (including Telangana) 72 (65-79) 68 Stable Chhattisgarh 26 (24-27) 46 Increase Madhya Pradesh 257 (213-301) 308 Increase Maharashtra 169 (155-183) 190 Increase Odisha 32 (20-44) 28 Stable Rajasthan 36 (35-37) 45 Increase Jharkhand 10 (6-14) 3+ Decrease* Central India 601 (518-685) 688 (596-780) Increase Western Ghats Landscape Complex Karnataka 300 (280-320) 406 Increase Kerala 71 (67-75) 136 Increase Tamil Nadu 163 (153-173) 229 Increase Goa - 5 Increase Western Ghats 534 (500-568) 776 (685-861) Increase North Eastern Hills and Brahmaputra Flood Plains Assam 143 (113-173) 167 Increase Arunachal Pradesh - 28♣ Increase Mizoram 5 3+ Stable North West Bengal - 3 ** North East Hills, and Brahmaputra 148 (118-178) 201 (174-212) Increase Sunderbans 70 (64-90) 76 (92-96) Stable
TOTAL 1706 (1520-1909) 2226 (1945-2491) Increase
+ From scat DNA ♣ From camera trap data and scat DNA * Much of the tiger occupied areas could not be surveyed owing to naxal problem ** Tiger estimation was not done in the year 2010
***
ANNEXURE-II
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 737 ON POPULATION OF TIGERS DUE FOR REPLY ON 25.07.2016
Several milestone initiatives taken by the Government of India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority for protection and conservation of tigers and other wild animals
Legal steps 1. Amendment of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 in 2006 to provide enabling provisions for constituting the National Tiger Conservation Authority under section 38 IV B and the Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau under section 38 IV C.
2. Enhancement of punishment for offence in relation to the core area of a tiger reserve or where the offence relate to hunting in the tiger reserves or altering the boundaries of tiger reserves, etc.
3. Comprehensive guidelines under section 38O 1 (c) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 issued for Project Tiger and Tourism in Tiger Reserves on 15th October, 2012.
Administrative steps 4. Constitution of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) with effect from the 4th September, 2006, for strengthening tiger conservation by, interalia, ensuring normative standards in tiger reserve management, preparation of reserve specific tiger conservation plan, laying down annual audit report before Parliament, constituting State level Steering Committees under the Chairmanship of Chief Ministers and establishment of Tiger Conservation Foundation.
5. Constitution of a multidisciplinary Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau) with effect from the 6th June, 2007 to effectively control illegal trade in wildlife.
6. Strengthening of antipoaching activities, including special strategy for monsoon patrolling, by providing funding support to tiger reserve States, as proposed by them, for deployment of antipoaching squads involving ex-army personnel or home guards, apart from workforce comprising of local people, in addition to strengthening of communication and wireless facilities.
7. The in-principle approval has been accorded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority for creation of new tiger reserves, and the sites are: Ratapani (Madhya Pradesh), Sunabeda (Odisha) and Guru Ghasidas (Chhattisgarh). The State Governments have been advised to send proposals for declaring the following areas as tiger reserves: (i) Suhelwa (Uttar Pradesh), (ii) Mhadei Sanctuary (Goa), (iii) Srivilliputhur Grizzled Giant Squirrel / Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuaries / Varushanadu Valley (Tamil Nadu), (iv) Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary (Arunachal Pradesh) and (v) Cauveri-MM Hills (Karnataka).
8. Rajaji National Park (Uttarakhand) & Orang National Park (Assam) have been declared / notified as 48th & 49th Tiger Reserves. Besides the recently notified tiger reserves include: Kawal (Telangana), Sathyamangalam (Tamil Nadu), Mukandra Hills (Rajasthan), Nawegaon-Nagzira (Maharashtra), Amrabad (erstwhile Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve portion) (Telangana), Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh) and Bor (Maharashtra).
9. The revised Project Tiger guidelines have been issued to State Governments for strengthening tiger conservation, which apart from ongoing activities, inter alia, include financial support to States for enhanced village relocation or rehabilitation package for people living in core or critical tiger habitats (from Rs. 1 lakh per family to Rs. 10 lakhs per family), rehabilitation or resettlement of communities involved in traditional hunting, mainstreaming livelihood and wildlife concerns in forests outside tiger reserves and fostering corridor conservation through restorative strategy to arrest habitat fragmentation.
10. A scientific methodology for estimating tiger (including co-predators, prey animals and assessment of habitat status) has been evolved and mainstreamed. The findings of this estimation and assessment are bench marks for future tiger conservation strategy.
11. The 18 tiger States have notified the core/critical tiger habitat (39788.12 sq. km.), and the buffer/peripheral area (31250.45 sq.km.) of all the 49 tiger reserves in the country, under section 38V of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006.
12. Regional Offices of the National Tiger Conservation Authority are operational at Nagpur, Bengaluru and Guwahati headed by an Inspector General of Forests.
Financial steps 13. Financial and technical help is provided to the State Governments under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes, such as “Project Tiger” and “Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats” for enhancing the capacity and infrastructure of the State Governments for providing effective protection to wild animals.
International Cooperation 14. India has a bilateral understanding with Nepal on controlling trans-boundary illegal trade in wildlife and conservation, apart from a protocol on tiger conservation with China.
15. A protocol has been signed in September, 2011 with Bangladesh for conservation of the Royal Bengal Tiger of the Sunderban.
16. A sub-group on tiger and leopard conservation has been constituted for cooperation with the Russian Federation.
17. India is the founder member of the Global Tiger Forum of Tiger Range Countries for addressing international issues related to tiger conservation.
18. During the 14th meeting of the Conference of Parties to CITES, which was held from 3rd to 15th June, 2007 at The Hague, India introduced a resolution along with China, Nepal and the Russian Federation, with direction to Parties with operations breeding tigers on a commercial scale, for restricting such captive populations to a level supportive only to conserving wild tigers. The resolution was adopted as a decision with minor amendments. Further, India made an intervention appealing to China to phase out tiger farming and eliminate stockpiles of Asian big cats body parts and derivatives. The importance of continuing the ban on trade of body parts of tigers was emphasized.
19. Based on India’s strong intervention during the 62nd meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) at Geneva from 23-27 July, 2012, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Secretariat has issued a notification No. 2012/054 dated the 3rd September, 2012 to Parties to fully implement Decision 14.69 and report to the Secretariat by 25 September, 2012 (Progress made on restricting captive breeding operations of tigers etc.).
20. The 3rd Asia Ministerial Conference (3 AMC) was organized in New Delhi from 12-14 April 2016. Inspired by the statement of Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, during this conference that “conservation of tigers is not a choice, it is an imperative”, to achieve the concrete results of ensuring the conservation of tigers in the wild and their habitats by 2022, the representatives of the Governments of the Tiger Range Countries resolved to:
. Accelerate implementation of the Global Tiger Recovery Programme (GTRP)/National Tiger Recovery Programme (NTRP) and agreed actions from the above-mentioned declarations, review and update priority and differentiated action plans, and track progress through mutual and systematic reporting and evaluation. . Align development and tiger conservation in a mutually complementary manner by re- orienting development strategies to mainstream the concerns of tiger conservation, such as by integrating tiger and wildlife safeguards in infrastructure at the landscape level, developing partnerships with business groups, and strong engagement with local stakeholders. . Leverage funding and technical support from international organisations, bilateral and multilateral financial institutions, foundations, civil society organisations, private sector, and climate funds, in addition to TRC governments. . Recognise and enhance the importance of tiger habitats by promoting them as providing ecosystem services, as engines of economic growth and helping to address climate change. . Emphasize recovery of tiger populations in areas with low tiger densities and restoration in areas from which they have been extirpated by using successful programs of tiger reintroduction and rehabilitation of their habitats and prey. . Strengthen co-operation at the highest levels of government to combat wildlife crime, address the demand for tiger products, and increase formal and informal transboundary coordination. . Enhance knowledge sharing and capacity development for all stakeholders and increase the use of technology, including smart tools, monitoring protocols, and information systems, to improve management effectiveness.
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS STEPS 21. Creation of Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF): The Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) has been made operational in the States of Karnataka (Bandipur), Maharashtra (Pench and Tadoba-Andhari) and Odisha (Similipal), out of 13 initially selected tiger reserves, with 60% central assistance under the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger. In-principle approval has been accorded for creation of the said force in Nawegoan-Nagzira, Melghat (Maharashtra), Kawal and Amrabad (erstwhile Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve portion) Tiger Reserves (Telangana).
22. In collaboration with TRAFFIC-INDIA, an online tiger crime data base has been launched, and Generic Guidelines for preparation of reserve specific Security Plan has been evolved.
23. Implementing a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with tiger States, linked to fund flows for effective implementation of tiger conservation initiatives.
24. Steps taken for modernizing the infrastructure and field protection, besides launching ‘Monitoring system for Tigers’ Intensive Protection and Ecological Status (M-STrIPES)’ for effective field patrolling and monitoring.
25. Steps taken for no-cost involvement of Non-Governmental Experts in the all India tiger estimation.
26. Initiatives taken for improving the field delivery through capacity building of field officials, apart from providing incentives.
27. As a part of active management to rebuild Sariska and Panna Tiger Reserves where tigers have become locally extinct, reintroduction of tigers and tigresses have been done. The successful reintroduction of wild tigers in Sariska is a unique exercise and is the first of its kind in the world. The reintroduced tigresses are breeding. The tiger reintroduction initiative at Panna (MP) has been very successful.
28. Special advisories issued for in-situ build up of prey base and tiger population through active management in tiger reserves having low population status of tiger and its prey.
29. All India Tiger, Co-predators and Prey Estimation, 2014:- The third round of country level tiger status assessment completed in 2014, with the findings indicating an increase with a tiger population estimate of 2226 (lower and upper limits being 1945 and 2491 respectively), as compared to the last country level estimation of 2010, with an estimate of 1706 (lower and upper limits being 1520-1909 tigers), and 2006 estimation, with an estimate of 1411 (lower and upper limits being 1165 and 1657). At present, India has around 70% of tiger population and its source areas amongst the 13 tiger range countries in the world, owing to its long history of conserving the species through Project Tiger (2.12% of country’s geographical area spread out in 49 tiger reserves in 18 States).
30. Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE): A report on Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of Tiger Reserves was released on January, 2015, containing the third round of independent assessment based on refined criteria done in 2013-14 for 43 tiger reserves. Out of 43 tiger reserves, 17 were rated as ‘very good’, 16 as ‘good’ and 10 as ‘fair’.
31. Providing special assistance for mitigation of human-tiger conflicts in problematic areas.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) 32. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ for dealing with tiger deaths has been issued, based on advisories of Project Tiger / National Tiger Conservation Authority, with inputs from Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, State officials and experts, fine tuned to meet the present challenges.
33. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ for dealing with straying tigers in human dominated landscape has been issued.
34. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ for disposing tiger/leopard carcass/body parts has been issued.
35. A Standard Operating Procedure has been issued to deal with orphaned / abandoned tiger cubs and old / injured tigers in the wild.
36. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ has been issued to deal with tiger depredation on livestock.
37. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ has been issued for active management towards rehabilitation of tigers from source areas at landscape level.
38. Launching of Phase-IV tiger reserve level, continuous monitoring of tigers using camera traps and building up data on photo captures of individual tigers.
39. Launching the creation of a national repository of camera trap photo IDs of individual tigers.
40. In-principle approval for use of CAMPA funds towards village relocation from core areas.
41. Under active management, permission accorded for translocation of wilded / straying tigers / tigresses from high to low density reserves within States.
42. Field level workshops for capacity building of field officers to deal with straying tigers.
Recent Steps 43. On completion of e-surveillance project in Corbett Tiger Reserve (Uttarakhand), central assistance (100%) has been provided for installing 24X7 e-surveillance at Kaziranga Tiger Reserve (Assam) and fringe of Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh).
44. Economic Valuation of six tiger reserves done in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Forest Management. Similar exercise is being done for 10 more tiger reserves.
45. Trial of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for monitoring done in the Panna Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh), in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India and now has plan to extend to other tiger reserves too.
46. Assessment of Status, Density and Change in Forest Cover in and around tiger reserves of the Shivalik Gangetic Plain Landscape done in collaboration with the Forest Survey of India.
47. A Rhino Task Force has suggested measures to strengthen rhino protection in the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
48. In-principle approval has been accorded for creation of Rhino Protection Force at Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
49. Supporting a health insurance scheme for forest guards in Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
50. Fostering a voluntary group “Friends for Rhino” for eliciting public support for rhino conservation with active local participation around Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
51. Initiative taken for collaboration with National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) towards evolving an alert system in tiger reserves prone to natural disasters.
52. A joint report with Nepal and Bangladesh has been brought out on the assessment of tiger status in the terai arc landscape.
53. Initiative taken for collaboration of National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau towards an online tiger / wildlife crime tracking / reporting system in tiger reserves.
54. Guidelines for security audit of the tiger reserves have been finalised and is getting validated.
55. Tiger rich areas outside tiger reserves are being monitored or bestowing CA|TS certification.
***
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 742 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2016
Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation
742. SHRI B.K. HARIPRASAD:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) whether any conference named as Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation has been held in the recent past in the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and (d) how it would help in ensuring tiger conservation and reducing poaching incidents in forests?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)
(a) & (b) Yes Sir. The 3rd Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation was held from April 12 to 14, 2016 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, which was attended by 13 Tiger Range Countries, besides conservationists, Non-Governmental Organisations and Scientists. A total of 366 participants from 24 nations along with 8 Ministerial Heads besides Kazakhstan participated in the said conference. Report on status / progress of Global Tiger Recovery Programme (GTRP)/ National Tiger Recovery Programme (NTRP) implementation in 13 tiger range countries was discussed besides several issues pertaining to landscape conservation, habitat management, antipoaching, protection, illegal trade & trafficking, capacity building and leadership, sustainable development, smart green infrastructure, role of business and industries, resource mobilization in all the tiger range countries. The Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme was also discussed.
(c) Question does not arise.
(d) For ensuring tiger conservation and reducing poaching incidents in forests, the New Delhi Resolution on Tiger Conservation, placed at Annexure-I was adopted.
***
ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 742 ON ASIA MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON TIGER CONSERVATION DUE FOR REPLY ON 25.07.2016
NEW DELHI RESOLUTION ON TIGER CONSERVATION 3rd Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation April 14, 2016, New Delhi, India
Wild tigers remain endangered across Tiger Range Countries (TRCs). While some TRCs have made progress in increasing their populations of tigers in the last few years, the global scenario is still a cause for major concern. Tigers have become critically endangered or locally extinct in some TRCs. The extent and quality of habitat has also been diminished in many. This is a serious impediment to achieving the goal of doubling the number of wild tigers range wide (Tx2) by 2022, the timeline envisaged in the St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation of 2010. A renewed impetus is required to achieve the goal.
Therefore,
Drawing inspiration from and reiterating and reconfirming the principles and actions of the Hua Hin Declaration on Tiger Conservation (2010), the St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation (2010), the Thimphu Affirmative Nine-Point Action Agenda (2012) and the Dhaka Recommendations (2014) - such as working collaboratively to eradicate poaching, smuggling and illegal trade, strengthening frontline staff capacity, building partnerships, accelerating the flow of national and external funds - and building upon the first five years of implementation of the Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP) and National Tiger Recovery Programs (NTRPs), we renew our collective pledge to ensure the conservation of tigers in the wild and their habitats.
Inspired by the statement of Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, during this conference that “conservation of tigers is not a choice, it is an imperative” and to achieve these concrete results by 2022,
We, the representatives of the Governments of the Tiger Range Countries, RESOLVE to:
1. Accelerate implementation of the GTRP/NTRPs and agreed actions from the above- mentioned declarations, review and update priority and differentiated action plans, and track progress through mutual and systematic reporting and evaluation. 2. Align development and tiger conservation in a mutually complementary manner by re- orienting development strategies to mainstream the concerns of tiger conservation, such as by integrating tiger and wildlife safeguards in infrastructure at the landscape level, developing partnerships with business groups, and strong engagement with local stakeholders. 3. Leverage funding and technical support from international organisations, bilateral and multilateral financial institutions, foundations, civil society organisations, private sector, and climate funds, in addition to TRC governments. 4. Recognise and enhance the importance of tiger habitats by promoting them as providing ecosystem services, as engines of economic growth and helping to address climate change. 5. Emphasize recovery of tiger populations in areas with low tiger densities and restoration in areas from which they have been extirpated by using successful programs of tiger reintroduction and rehabilitation of their habitats and prey. 6. Strengthen co-operation at the highest levels of government to combat wildlife crime, address the demand for tiger products, and increase formal and informal transboundary coordination. 7. Enhance knowledge sharing and capacity development for all stakeholders and increase the use of technology, including smart tools, monitoring protocols, and information systems, to improve management effectiveness.
Acknowledging and appreciating the contribution of different partners during the implementation of the GTRP and NTRPs, we urge the Global Tiger Forum and the Global Tiger Initiative Council to continue their role in coordination, technical assistance, and incremental resource mobilisation toward achievement of this Resolution.
*** GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 744 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2016
Population of wild animals
744. SHRIMATI AMBIKA SONI:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) the population of tigers, cubs and other wild animals in various reserve forests and in Kanha National Park of Madhya Pradesh, in particular; (b) how many incidents of tiger deaths were reported during the last one year and since January, 2016; (c) whether any representations have been received from wildlife conservationists and enthusiasts for the protection of tigers in Kanha, including 15-year old tiger called Munna; (d) if so, the details thereof; and (e) the details of action taken or proposed to be taken to protect wild animals in the reserved forest areas?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)
(a) Population of tigers in tiger reserves, inter alia, including that for Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, as per Status of Tigers, Co-predators and Prey in India, 2014 is at Annexure-I. Tiger reserve-wise data pertaining to cubs and other wild animals is not collated at Government of India level. (b) Tiger mortality, as reported by States, during last year and current year, is at Annexure-II. (c) & (d) Yes Sir. One such representation has been received in this Authority and the State of Madhya Pradesh has been requested to furnish an update / factual position on the matter. (e) The Government of India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority has taken a number of initiatives for conservation and protection of tiger and other wild animals. The same are at Annexure-III.
***
ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 744 ON POPULATION OF WILD ANIMALS DUE FOR REPLY ON 25.07.2016
Population of tigers in tiger reserves, inter alia, including that for Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, as per Status of Tigers, Co-predators and Prey in India, 2014
Tiger Reserve State Tiger Lower SE Upper SE Population Limit Limit Achanakmar Chhattisgarh 11 10 12 Anamalai Tamil Nadu 13 11 14 Bandhavgarh Madhya Pradesh 63 55 71 Bandipur Karnataka 120 107 134 Bhadra Karnataka 22 20 25 Biligiri Ranganatha Karnataka 68 60 75 Temple Bor Maharashtra 5 3 6 Buxa* West Bengal 2 2 2 Corbett Uttarakhand 215 169 261 Dampa* Mizoram 3 3 3 Dandeli-Anshi Karnataka 5 3 6 Dudhwa Uttar Pradesh 58 46 69 Indravati Chhattisgarh 12 11 13 Kalakad Mundanthurai Tamil Nadu 10 9 11 Kanha Madhya Pradesh 80 71 90 Kaziranga Assam 103 91 115 Manas Assam 11 9 12 Melghat Maharashtra 25 21 30 Mudumalai Tamil Nadu 89 79 99 Nagarahole Karnataka 101 90 113 Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Andhra Pradesh 54 40 67 Namdapha Arunachal Pradesh 11 5 11 Nameri Assam 5 4 5 Nawegoan-Nagzira Maharashtra 7 4 10 Pakke Arunachal Pradesh 7 6 8 Palamau* Jharkhand 3 3 3 Panna Madhya Pradesh 17 17 17 Parambikulam Kerala 19 17 21 Pench Madhya Pradesh 43 36 49 Pench Maharashtra 35 28 42 Periyar Kerala 20 18 22 Pilibhit Uttar Pradesh 25 19 30 Ranthambhore Rajasthan 37 30 41 Sahyadri* Maharashtra 7 7 7 Sanjay-Dubri Madhya Pradesh 8 7 10 Sariska Rajasthan 9 9 9 Sathyamangalam Tamil Nadu 72 64 80
Satkosia Odisha 3 2 4 Satpura Madhya Pradesh 26 22 30 Similipal Odisha 17 14 19 Sunderban West Bengal 68 57 86 Tadoba-Andhari Maharashtra 51 44 58 Udanti-Sitanadi Chhattisgarh 4 3 4 Valmiki Bihar 22 17 26 Total 1586 1343 1820
* Minimum number of tigers recorded through scat DNA, in these cases a standard error on their estimate was not possible.
ANNEXURE-II
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 744 ON POPULATION OF WILD ANIMALS DUE FOR REPLY ON 25.07.2016
Tiger mortality, as reported by States, during last year and current year
Year Natural and Poaching Cases under Total other causes including scrutiny seizure 2015 28 14 36 78
2016 7 21 45 73 (as on 20.7.2016)
ANNEXURE-III
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (e) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 744 ON POPULATION OF WILD ANIMALS DUE FOR REPLY ON 25.07.2016
Several initiatives taken by the Government of India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority for conservation and protection of tigers and other wild animals
Legal steps 1. Amendment of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 in 2006 to provide enabling provisions for constituting the National Tiger Conservation Authority under section 38 IV B and the Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau under section 38 IV C.
2. Enhancement of punishment for offence in relation to the core area of a tiger reserve or where the offence relate to hunting in the tiger reserves or altering the boundaries of tiger reserves, etc.
3. Comprehensive guidelines under section 38O 1 (c) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 issued for Project Tiger and Tourism in Tiger Reserves on 15th October, 2012.
Administrative steps 4. Constitution of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) with effect from the 4th September, 2006, for strengthening tiger conservation by, interalia, ensuring normative standards in tiger reserve management, preparation of reserve specific tiger conservation plan, laying down annual audit report before Parliament, constituting State level Steering Committees under the Chairmanship of Chief Ministers and establishment of Tiger Conservation Foundation.
5. Constitution of a multidisciplinary Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau) with effect from the 6th June, 2007 to effectively control illegal trade in wildlife.
6. Strengthening of antipoaching activities, including special strategy for monsoon patrolling, by providing funding support to tiger reserve States, as proposed by them, for deployment of antipoaching squads involving ex-army personnel or home guards, apart from workforce comprising of local people, in addition to strengthening of communication and wireless facilities.
7. The in-principle approval has been accorded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority for creation of new tiger reserves, and the sites are: Ratapani (Madhya Pradesh), Sunabeda (Odisha) and Guru Ghasidas (Chhattisgarh). The State Governments have been advised to send proposals for declaring the following areas as tiger reserves: (i) Suhelwa (Uttar Pradesh), (ii) Mhadei Sanctuary (Goa), (iii) Srivilliputhur Grizzled Giant Squirrel / Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuaries / Varushanadu Valley (Tamil Nadu), (iv) Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary (Arunachal Pradesh) and (v) Cauveri-MM Hills (Karnataka).
8. Rajaji National Park (Uttarakhand) & Orang National Park (Assam) have been declared / notified as 48th & 49th Tiger Reserves. Besides the recently notified tiger reserves include: Kawal (Telangana), Sathyamangalam (Tamil Nadu), Mukandra Hills (Rajasthan), Nawegaon-Nagzira (Maharashtra), Amrabad (erstwhile Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve portion) (Telangana), Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh) and Bor (Maharashtra).
9. The revised Project Tiger guidelines have been issued to State Governments for strengthening tiger conservation, which apart from ongoing activities, inter alia, include financial support to States for enhanced village relocation or rehabilitation package for people living in core or critical tiger habitats (from Rs. 1 lakh per family to Rs. 10 lakhs per family), rehabilitation or resettlement of communities involved in traditional hunting, mainstreaming livelihood and wildlife concerns in forests outside tiger reserves and fostering corridor conservation through restorative strategy to arrest habitat fragmentation.
10. A scientific methodology for estimating tiger (including co-predators, prey animals and assessment of habitat status) has been evolved and mainstreamed. The findings of this estimation and assessment are bench marks for future tiger conservation strategy.
11. The 18 tiger States have notified the core/critical tiger habitat (39788.12 sq. km.), and the buffer/peripheral area (31250.45 sq.km.) of all the 49 tiger reserves in the country, under section 38V of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006.
12. Regional Offices of the National Tiger Conservation Authority are operational at Nagpur, Bengaluru and Guwahati headed by an Inspector General of Forests.
Financial steps 13. Financial and technical help is provided to the State Governments under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes, such as “Project Tiger” and “Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats” for enhancing the capacity and infrastructure of the State Governments for providing effective protection to wild animals.
International Cooperation 14. India has a bilateral understanding with Nepal on controlling trans-boundary illegal trade in wildlife and conservation, apart from a protocol on tiger conservation with China.
15. A protocol has been signed in September, 2011 with Bangladesh for conservation of the Royal Bengal Tiger of the Sunderban.
16. A sub-group on tiger and leopard conservation has been constituted for cooperation with the Russian Federation.
17. India is the founder member of the Global Tiger Forum of Tiger Range Countries for addressing international issues related to tiger conservation.
18. During the 14th meeting of the Conference of Parties to CITES, which was held from 3rd to 15th June, 2007 at The Hague, India introduced a resolution along with China, Nepal and the Russian Federation, with direction to Parties with operations breeding tigers on a commercial scale, for restricting such captive populations to a level supportive only to conserving wild tigers. The resolution was adopted as a decision with minor amendments. Further, India made an intervention appealing to China to phase out tiger farming and eliminate stockpiles of Asian big cats body parts and derivatives. The importance of continuing the ban on trade of body parts of tigers was emphasized.
19. Based on India’s strong intervention during the 62nd meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) at Geneva from 23-27 July, 2012, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Secretariat has issued a notification No. 2012/054 dated the 3rd September, 2012 to Parties to fully implement Decision 14.69 and report to the Secretariat by 25 September, 2012 (Progress made on restricting captive breeding operations of tigers etc.).
20. The 3rd Asia Ministerial Conference (3 AMC) was organized in New Delhi from 12-14 April 2016. Inspired by the statement of Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, during this conference that “conservation of tigers is not a choice, it is an imperative”, to achieve the concrete results of ensuring the conservation of tigers in the wild and their habitats by 2022, the representatives of the Governments of the Tiger Range Countries resolved to:
. Accelerate implementation of the Global Tiger Recovery Programme (GTRP)/National Tiger Recovery Programme (NTRP) and agreed actions from the above-mentioned declarations, review and update priority and differentiated action plans, and track progress through mutual and systematic reporting and evaluation. . Align development and tiger conservation in a mutually complementary manner by re- orienting development strategies to mainstream the concerns of tiger conservation, such as by integrating tiger and wildlife safeguards in infrastructure at the landscape level, developing partnerships with business groups, and strong engagement with local stakeholders. . Leverage funding and technical support from international organisations, bilateral and multilateral financial institutions, foundations, civil society organisations, private sector, and climate funds, in addition to TRC governments. . Recognise and enhance the importance of tiger habitats by promoting them as providing ecosystem services, as engines of economic growth and helping to address climate change. . Emphasize recovery of tiger populations in areas with low tiger densities and restoration in areas from which they have been extirpated by using successful programs of tiger reintroduction and rehabilitation of their habitats and prey. . Strengthen co-operation at the highest levels of government to combat wildlife crime, address the demand for tiger products, and increase formal and informal transboundary coordination. . Enhance knowledge sharing and capacity development for all stakeholders and increase the use of technology, including smart tools, monitoring protocols, and information systems, to improve management effectiveness.
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS STEPS 21. Creation of Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF): The Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) has been made operational in the States of Karnataka (Bandipur), Maharashtra (Pench and Tadoba-Andhari) and Odisha (Similipal), out of 13 initially selected tiger reserves, with 60% central assistance under the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger. In-principle approval has been accorded for creation of the said force in Nawegoan-Nagzira, Melghat (Maharashtra), Kawal and Amrabad (erstwhile Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve portion) Tiger Reserves (Telangana).
22. In collaboration with TRAFFIC-INDIA, an online tiger crime data base has been launched, and Generic Guidelines for preparation of reserve specific Security Plan has been evolved.
23. Implementing a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with tiger States, linked to fund flows for effective implementation of tiger conservation initiatives.
24. Steps taken for modernizing the infrastructure and field protection, besides launching ‘Monitoring system for Tigers’ Intensive Protection and Ecological Status (M-STrIPES)’ for effective field patrolling and monitoring.
25. Steps taken for no-cost involvement of Non-Governmental Experts in the all India tiger estimation.
26. Initiatives taken for improving the field delivery through capacity building of field officials, apart from providing incentives.
27. As a part of active management to rebuild Sariska and Panna Tiger Reserves where tigers have become locally extinct, reintroduction of tigers and tigresses have been done. The successful reintroduction of wild tigers in Sariska is a unique exercise and is the first of its kind in the world. The reintroduced tigresses are breeding. The tiger reintroduction initiative at Panna (MP) has been very successful.
28. Special advisories issued for in-situ build up of prey base and tiger population through active management in tiger reserves having low population status of tiger and its prey.
29. All India Tiger, Co-predators and Prey Estimation, 2014:- The third round of country level tiger status assessment completed in 2014, with the findings indicating an increase with a tiger population estimate of 2226 (lower and upper limits being 1945 and 2491 respectively), as compared to the last country level estimation of 2010, with an estimate of 1706 (lower and upper limits being 1520-1909 tigers), and 2006 estimation, with an estimate of 1411 (lower and upper limits being 1165 and 1657). At present, India has around 70% of tiger population and its source areas amongst the 13 tiger range countries in the world, owing to its long history of conserving the species through Project Tiger (2.12% of country’s geographical area spread out in 49 tiger reserves in 18 States).
30. Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE): A report on Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of Tiger Reserves was released on January, 2015, containing the third round of independent assessment based on refined criteria done in 2013-14 for 43 tiger reserves. Out of 43 tiger reserves, 17 were rated as ‘very good’, 16 as ‘good’ and 10 as ‘fair’.
31. Providing special assistance for mitigation of human-tiger conflicts in problematic areas.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) 32. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ for dealing with tiger deaths has been issued, based on advisories of Project Tiger / National Tiger Conservation Authority, with inputs from Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, State officials and experts, fine tuned to meet the present challenges.
33. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ for dealing with straying tigers in human dominated landscape has been issued.
34. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ for disposing tiger/leopard carcass/body parts has been issued.
35. A Standard Operating Procedure has been issued to deal with orphaned / abandoned tiger cubs and old / injured tigers in the wild.
36. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ has been issued to deal with tiger depredation on livestock.
37. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ has been issued for active management towards rehabilitation of tigers from source areas at landscape level.
38. Launching of Phase-IV tiger reserve level, continuous monitoring of tigers using camera traps and building up data on photo captures of individual tigers.
39. Launching the creation of a national repository of camera trap photo IDs of individual tigers.
40. In-principle approval for use of CAMPA funds towards village relocation from core areas.
41. Under active management, permission accorded for translocation of wilded / straying tigers / tigresses from high to low density reserves within States.
42. Field level workshops for capacity building of field officers to deal with straying tigers.
Recent Steps 43. On completion of e-surveillance project in Corbett Tiger Reserve (Uttarakhand), central assistance (100%) has been provided for installing 24X7 e-surveillance at Kaziranga Tiger Reserve (Assam) and fringe of Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh).
44. Economic Valuation of six tiger reserves done in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Forest Management. Similar exercise is being done for 10 more tiger reserves.
45. Trial of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for monitoring done in the Panna Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh), in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India and now has plan to extend to other tiger reserves too.
46. Assessment of Status, Density and Change in Forest Cover in and around tiger reserves of the Shivalik Gangetic Plain Landscape done in collaboration with the Forest Survey of India.
47. A Rhino Task Force has suggested measures to strengthen rhino protection in the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
48. In-principle approval has been accorded for creation of Rhino Protection Force at Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
49. Supporting a health insurance scheme for forest guards in Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
50. Fostering a voluntary group “Friends for Rhino” for eliciting public support for rhino conservation with active local participation around Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
51. Initiative taken for collaboration with National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) towards evolving an alert system in tiger reserves prone to natural disasters.
52. A joint report with Nepal and Bangladesh has been brought out on the assessment of tiger status in the terai arc landscape.
53. Initiative taken for collaboration of National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau towards an online tiger / wildlife crime tracking / reporting system in tiger reserves.
54. Guidelines for security audit of the tiger reserves have been finalised and is getting validated.
55. Tiger rich areas outside tiger reserves are being monitored or bestowing CA|TS certification.
***
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 745 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2016
Poaching of tigers
745. SHRI D. KUPENDRA REDDY: SHRI RITABRATA BANERJEE:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) the population of tigers in the country, as per latest survey, State-wise; (b) the death of tigers due to poaching during the last three years and the current year, State-wise; (c) whether it has come to the notice of Government that 74 tigers died in first half of 2016 as poaching rises; and (d) if so, the action taken/proposed to be taken to save tigers from poaching?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)
(a) The assessment of the status of tigers, co-predators and their prey 2014 using the refined methodology has shown a countrywide 30% increase in tiger numbers with an estimated number of 2226 (range 1945-2491) as compared to 2010 estimation of 1706 (range 1520-1909 tigers). The details of tiger estimation pertaining to tiger landscapes in the country for the years 2010 and 2014 are at Annexure-I. (b) The tiger mortality in India, inter alia, including those due to confirmed poaching and seizure during the last three years and current year, as reported by States, State-wise, is at Annexure-II. (c) 73 cases of tiger mortality have been reported by the States till date, which, inter alia, includes 21 cases of confirmed poaching including seizure, 7 cases due to natural and other causes while 45 cases are under scrutiny. (d) The Government of India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority / Project Tiger has taken a number of steps to control poaching. The same are at Annexure-III.
***
ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 745 ON POACHING OF TIGERS DUE FOR REPLY ON 25.07.2016
Details of tiger estimation pertaining to tiger landscapes in the country, for the years 2010 and 2014
Tiger Population
State 2010 2014 Increase / Decrease / Stable Shivalik-Gangetic Plain Landscape Complex Uttarakhand 227 (199-256) 340 Increase Uttar Pradesh 118 (113-124) 117 Stable Bihar 8 (-) 28 Increase Shivalik Gangetic 353 (320-388) 485 (427-543) Increase Central Indian Landscape Complex and Eastern Ghats Landscape Complex
Andhra Pradesh (including Telangana) 72 (65-79) 68 Stable Chhattisgarh 26 (24-27) 46 Increase Madhya Pradesh 257 (213-301) 308 Increase Maharashtra 169 (155-183) 190 Increase Odisha 32 (20-44) 28 Stable Rajasthan 36 (35-37) 45 Increase Jharkhand 10 (6-14) 3+ Decrease* Central India 601 (518-685) 688 (596-780) Increase Western Ghats Landscape Complex Karnataka 300 (280-320) 406 Increase Kerala 71 (67-75) 136 Increase Tamil Nadu 163 (153-173) 229 Increase Goa - 5 Increase Western Ghats 534 (500-568) 776 (685-861) Increase North Eastern Hills and Brahmaputra Flood Plains Assam 143 (113-173) 167 Increase Arunachal Pradesh - 28♣ Increase Mizoram 5 3+ Stable North West Bengal - 3 ** North East Hills, and Brahmaputra 148 (118-178) 201 (174-212) Increase Sunderbans 70 (64-90) 76 (92-96) Stable
TOTAL 1706 (1520-1909) 2226 (1945-2491) Increase
+ From scat DNA ♣ From camera trap data and scat DNA * Much of the tiger occupied areas could not be surveyed owing to naxal problem ** Tiger estimation was not done in the year 2010
***
ANNEXURE-II
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 745 ON POACHING OF TIGERS DUE FOR REPLY ON 25.07.2016
Tiger mortality in India, inter alia, including those due to confirmed poaching and seizure during the last three years and current year, as reported by States (State-wise)
2013 2014 2015 2016 Sl. States (as on 20.7.2016) No. Natural Confirmed Under Natural Confirmed Under Natural Confirmed Under Natural Confirmed Under and other poaching scrutiny and poaching scrutiny and poaching scrutiny and poaching scrutiny causes including other including other including other including seizure causes seizure causes seizure causes seizure 1 Andhra Pradesh - - - - 2 1 ------2 Arunachal ------1 Pradesh 3 Assam - 3 5 2 - 4 - 1 4 - 1 1 4 Bihar - - - 3 - - 2 - - - 3 1 5 Chhattisgarh - - - - 2 - - 1 - - 1 - 6 Jharkhand ------7 Karnataka 7 5 3 6* - 1 8* 3 4 2 1 4 8 Kerala 3 3 - 1 1 2 3 - 3 1 1 3 9 Madhya Pradesh 5 2 3 12 3 1 7 2 4 2 5 13 10 Maharashtra 4 5 2 2* 3 5 0 1 11 1 - 7 11 Mizoram ------12 Nagaland ------1 - 13 Odisha 1 ------1 - - - - 14 Rajasthan - - 1 - - - - - 1 - - 3 15 Tamil Nadu 1 - 1 3* 2 12 4* - 2 1* 1 4 16 Uttarakhand - 1 8 3 - 5 1 2 7 - 6 4 17 Uttar Pradesh - 3 1 - - 2 - 3 - - 1 3 18 West Bengal 1 - - - - - 3 - - - - 1 19 Goa ------20 Telangana - - - - 1 ------Total 22 22 24 32 14 33 28 14 36 7 21 45
* including one case eliminated by authorities in a conflict event in accordance with provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
***
ANNEXURE-III
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 745 ON POACHING OF TIGERS DUE FOR REPLY ON 25.07.2016
Government of India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority / Project Tiger has taken a number of steps to control poaching
Legal steps 1. Amendment of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 in 2006 to provide enabling provisions for constituting the National Tiger Conservation Authority under section 38 IV B and the Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau under section 38 IV C.
2. Enhancement of punishment for offence in relation to the core area of a tiger reserve or where the offence relate to hunting in the tiger reserves or altering the boundaries of tiger reserves, etc.
3. Comprehensive guidelines under section 38O 1 (c) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 issued for Project Tiger and Tourism in Tiger Reserves on 15th October, 2012.
Administrative steps 4. Constitution of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) with effect from the 4th September, 2006, for strengthening tiger conservation by, interalia, ensuring normative standards in tiger reserve management, preparation of reserve specific tiger conservation plan, laying down annual audit report before Parliament, constituting State level Steering Committees under the Chairmanship of Chief Ministers and establishment of Tiger Conservation Foundation.
5. Constitution of a multidisciplinary Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau) with effect from the 6th June, 2007 to effectively control illegal trade in wildlife.
6. Strengthening of antipoaching activities, including special strategy for monsoon patrolling, by providing funding support to tiger reserve States, as proposed by them, for deployment of antipoaching squads involving ex-army personnel or home guards, apart from workforce comprising of local people, in addition to strengthening of communication and wireless facilities.
7. The in-principle approval has been accorded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority for creation of new tiger reserves, and the sites are: Ratapani (Madhya Pradesh), Sunabeda (Odisha) and Guru Ghasidas (Chhattisgarh). The State Governments have been advised to send proposals for declaring the following areas as tiger reserves: (i) Suhelwa (Uttar Pradesh), (ii) Mhadei Sanctuary (Goa), (iii) Srivilliputhur Grizzled Giant Squirrel / Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuaries / Varushanadu Valley (Tamil Nadu), (iv) Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary (Arunachal Pradesh) and (v) Cauveri-MM Hills (Karnataka).
8. Rajaji National Park (Uttarakhand) & Orang National Park (Assam) have been declared / notified as 48th & 49th Tiger Reserves. Besides the recently notified tiger reserves include: Kawal (Telangana), Sathyamangalam (Tamil Nadu), Mukandra Hills (Rajasthan), Nawegaon-Nagzira (Maharashtra), Amrabad (erstwhile Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve portion) (Telangana), Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh) and Bor (Maharashtra).
9. The revised Project Tiger guidelines have been issued to State Governments for strengthening tiger conservation, which apart from ongoing activities, inter alia, include financial support to States for enhanced village relocation or rehabilitation package for people living in core or critical tiger habitats (from Rs. 1 lakh per family to Rs. 10 lakhs per family), rehabilitation or resettlement of communities involved in traditional hunting, mainstreaming livelihood and wildlife concerns in forests outside tiger reserves and fostering corridor conservation through restorative strategy to arrest habitat fragmentation.
10. A scientific methodology for estimating tiger (including co-predators, prey animals and assessment of habitat status) has been evolved and mainstreamed. The findings of this estimation and assessment are bench marks for future tiger conservation strategy.
11. The 18 tiger States have notified the core/critical tiger habitat (39788.12 sq. km.), and the buffer/peripheral area (31250.45 sq.km.) of all the 49 tiger reserves in the country, under section 38V of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006.
12. Regional Offices of the National Tiger Conservation Authority are operational at Nagpur, Bengaluru and Guwahati headed by an Inspector General of Forests.
Financial steps 13. Financial and technical help is provided to the State Governments under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes, such as “Project Tiger” and “Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats” for enhancing the capacity and infrastructure of the State Governments for providing effective protection to wild animals.
International Cooperation 14. India has a bilateral understanding with Nepal on controlling trans-boundary illegal trade in wildlife and conservation, apart from a protocol on tiger conservation with China.
15. A protocol has been signed in September, 2011 with Bangladesh for conservation of the Royal Bengal Tiger of the Sunderban.
16. A sub-group on tiger and leopard conservation has been constituted for cooperation with the Russian Federation.
17. India is the founder member of the Global Tiger Forum of Tiger Range Countries for addressing international issues related to tiger conservation.
18. During the 14th meeting of the Conference of Parties to CITES, which was held from 3rd to 15th June, 2007 at The Hague, India introduced a resolution along with China, Nepal and the Russian Federation, with direction to Parties with operations breeding tigers on a commercial scale, for restricting such captive populations to a level supportive only to conserving wild tigers. The resolution was adopted as a decision with minor amendments. Further, India made an intervention appealing to China to phase out tiger farming and eliminate stockpiles of Asian big cats body parts and derivatives. The importance of continuing the ban on trade of body parts of tigers was emphasized.
19. Based on India’s strong intervention during the 62nd meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) at Geneva from 23-27 July, 2012, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Secretariat has issued a notification No. 2012/054 dated the 3rd September, 2012 to Parties to fully implement Decision 14.69 and report to the Secretariat by 25 September, 2012 (Progress made on restricting captive breeding operations of tigers etc.).
20. The 3rd Asia Ministerial Conference (3 AMC) was organized in New Delhi from 12-14 April 2016. Inspired by the statement of Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, during this conference that “conservation of tigers is not a choice, it is an imperative”, to achieve the concrete results of ensuring the conservation of tigers in the wild and their habitats by 2022, the representatives of the Governments of the Tiger Range Countries resolved to:
. Accelerate implementation of the Global Tiger Recovery Programme (GTRP)/National Tiger Recovery Programme (NTRP) and agreed actions from the above-mentioned declarations, review and update priority and differentiated action plans, and track progress through mutual and systematic reporting and evaluation. . Align development and tiger conservation in a mutually complementary manner by re- orienting development strategies to mainstream the concerns of tiger conservation, such as by integrating tiger and wildlife safeguards in infrastructure at the landscape level, developing partnerships with business groups, and strong engagement with local stakeholders. . Leverage funding and technical support from international organisations, bilateral and multilateral financial institutions, foundations, civil society organisations, private sector, and climate funds, in addition to TRC governments. . Recognise and enhance the importance of tiger habitats by promoting them as providing ecosystem services, as engines of economic growth and helping to address climate change. . Emphasize recovery of tiger populations in areas with low tiger densities and restoration in areas from which they have been extirpated by using successful programs of tiger reintroduction and rehabilitation of their habitats and prey. . Strengthen co-operation at the highest levels of government to combat wildlife crime, address the demand for tiger products, and increase formal and informal transboundary coordination. . Enhance knowledge sharing and capacity development for all stakeholders and increase the use of technology, including smart tools, monitoring protocols, and information systems, to improve management effectiveness.
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS STEPS 21. Creation of Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF): The Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) has been made operational in the States of Karnataka (Bandipur), Maharashtra (Pench and Tadoba-Andhari) and Odisha (Similipal), out of 13 initially selected tiger reserves, with 60% central assistance under the ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger. In-principle approval has been accorded for creation of the said force in Nawegoan-Nagzira, Melghat (Maharashtra), Kawal and Amrabad (erstwhile Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve portion) Tiger Reserves (Telangana).
22. In collaboration with TRAFFIC-INDIA, an online tiger crime data base has been launched, and Generic Guidelines for preparation of reserve specific Security Plan has been evolved.
23. Implementing a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with tiger States, linked to fund flows for effective implementation of tiger conservation initiatives.
24. Steps taken for modernizing the infrastructure and field protection, besides launching ‘Monitoring system for Tigers’ Intensive Protection and Ecological Status (M-STrIPES)’ for effective field patrolling and monitoring.
25. Steps taken for no-cost involvement of Non-Governmental Experts in the all India tiger estimation.
26. Initiatives taken for improving the field delivery through capacity building of field officials, apart from providing incentives.
27. As a part of active management to rebuild Sariska and Panna Tiger Reserves where tigers have become locally extinct, reintroduction of tigers and tigresses have been done. The successful reintroduction of wild tigers in Sariska is a unique exercise and is the first of its kind in the world. The reintroduced tigresses are breeding. The tiger reintroduction initiative at Panna (MP) has been very successful.
28. Special advisories issued for in-situ build up of prey base and tiger population through active management in tiger reserves having low population status of tiger and its prey.
29. All India Tiger, Co-predators and Prey Estimation, 2014:- The third round of country level tiger status assessment completed in 2014, with the findings indicating an increase with a tiger population estimate of 2226 (lower and upper limits being 1945 and 2491 respectively), as compared to the last country level estimation of 2010, with an estimate of 1706 (lower and upper limits being 1520-1909 tigers), and 2006 estimation, with an estimate of 1411 (lower and upper limits being 1165 and 1657). At present, India has around 70% of tiger population and its source areas amongst the 13 tiger range countries in the world, owing to its long history of conserving the species through Project Tiger (2.12% of country’s geographical area spread out in 49 tiger reserves in 18 States).
30. Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE): A report on Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of Tiger Reserves was released on January, 2015, containing the third round of independent assessment based on refined criteria done in 2013-14 for 43 tiger reserves. Out of 43 tiger reserves, 17 were rated as ‘very good’, 16 as ‘good’ and 10 as ‘fair’.
31. Providing special assistance for mitigation of human-tiger conflicts in problematic areas.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) 32. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ for dealing with tiger deaths has been issued, based on advisories of Project Tiger / National Tiger Conservation Authority, with inputs from Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, State officials and experts, fine tuned to meet the present challenges.
33. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ for dealing with straying tigers in human dominated landscape has been issued.
34. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ for disposing tiger/leopard carcass/body parts has been issued.
35. A Standard Operating Procedure has been issued to deal with orphaned / abandoned tiger cubs and old / injured tigers in the wild.
36. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ has been issued to deal with tiger depredation on livestock.
37. A ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ has been issued for active management towards rehabilitation of tigers from source areas at landscape level.
38. Launching of Phase-IV tiger reserve level, continuous monitoring of tigers using camera traps and building up data on photo captures of individual tigers.
39. Launching the creation of a national repository of camera trap photo IDs of individual tigers.
40. In-principle approval for use of CAMPA funds towards village relocation from core areas.
41. Under active management, permission accorded for translocation of wilded / straying tigers / tigresses from high to low density reserves within States.
42. Field level workshops for capacity building of field officers to deal with straying tigers.
Recent Steps 43. On completion of e-surveillance project in Corbett Tiger Reserve (Uttarakhand), central assistance (100%) has been provided for installing 24X7 e-surveillance at Kaziranga Tiger Reserve (Assam) and fringe of Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh).
44. Economic Valuation of six tiger reserves done in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Forest Management. Similar exercise is being done for 10 more tiger reserves.
45. Trial of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for monitoring done in the Panna Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh), in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India and now has plan to extend to other tiger reserves too.
46. Assessment of Status, Density and Change in Forest Cover in and around tiger reserves of the Shivalik Gangetic Plain Landscape done in collaboration with the Forest Survey of India.
47. A Rhino Task Force has suggested measures to strengthen rhino protection in the Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
48. In-principle approval has been accorded for creation of Rhino Protection Force at Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
49. Supporting a health insurance scheme for forest guards in Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
50. Fostering a voluntary group “Friends for Rhino” for eliciting public support for rhino conservation with active local participation around Kaziranga Tiger Reserve.
51. Initiative taken for collaboration with National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) towards evolving an alert system in tiger reserves prone to natural disasters.
52. A joint report with Nepal and Bangladesh has been brought out on the assessment of tiger status in the terai arc landscape.
53. Initiative taken for collaboration of National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau towards an online tiger / wildlife crime tracking / reporting system in tiger reserves.
54. Guidelines for security audit of the tiger reserves have been finalised and is getting validated.
55. Tiger rich areas outside tiger reserves are being monitored or bestowing CA|TS certification.
***
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1638 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.05.2016
Financing pattern of Project Tiger
1638 SHRI MD. NADIMUL HAQUE:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is fact that the financing pattern of Project Tiger, a centrally sponsored scheme has been changed; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the aforesaid change has stalled the progress of various programmes under Project Tiger; (d) the details of funds that would be shared and released by the Central and State Governments respectively under the present scheme; (e) whether the Ministry has recommended the Ministry of Finance to reconsider the changed funding pattern; and (f) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) & (b) Yes Sir. As per the changed funding pattern since financial year 2015-16, the ratio is 90:10 (Centre: State) for both non-recurring and recurring activities for North- Eastern States, 90:10 (Centre:State) for non-recurring and 50:50 (Centre: State) for recurring activities for the State of Uttarakhand and 60:40 (Centre: State) for non-recurring and 50:50 for recurring activities for other remaining States. (c) No Sir.
(d) As in (a) & (b) above.
(e) & (f) Yes Sir. A DO letter has been written by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment, Forest and Climate Change to Finance Minister for restoring old funding pattern for ongoing Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger (CSS- PT) *** GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1642 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.05.2016
Guidelines for protection of tiger corridors
1642. SHRI TIRUCHI SIVA:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the Ministry is working on guidelines to protect tiger corridors; (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) whether there are any tiger corridors identified that fall within Tamil Nadu; (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (e) what are the steps being taken by Government to conserve the existing tiger corridors; (f) whether Government intends to take any steps to acquire land to increase these tiger corridors; and (g) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) & (b) The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has identified 32 vital tiger corridors at the macro (landscape) level which are further delineated at a finer (tiger reserve) level by concerned State authorities, in spirit of Section 38 O (1) (g) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The Tiger Conservation Plan, a legally mandated document under Section 38 V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, inter alia has three parts - core, buffer and corridor / adjoining area plan, wherein management prescriptions are proposed to conserve the said areas.
(c) & (d) Yes sir, corridors falling in Tamil Nadu are as follows: i) Nagarahole-Bandipur-Mudumalai-Wayanad (Erode & Nilgiris district). ii) Mudumalai-Mukurthi-Silent valley (Nilgiris district) iii) Periyar-Mathikettan corridor (Theni district) iv) Mathikettan Shola National Park-Pambadum Shola National Park – Anamudi Shola National Park corridor (Dindigul & Theni district) v) Kalakkad-Mudanthurai.- Periyar corridor (Tirunelveli district)
(e) As at (a) & (b) above.
(f) & (g) If the situation demands, States may propose acquisition of such lands through funding support either from their own budget or through demand from centre. *** GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1658 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.05.2016
Tigers and panthers in Panna Tiger Reserve
1658 DR. CHANDAN MITRA:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) whether tiger and panthers have become extinct from Panna Tiger Reserve; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; (c) the annual grant provided for maintenance of the tiger reserve; and (d) the corrective steps taken by Government in this regard?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) No sir. On the contrary, a total of 18 tigers and 24 leopards are present in Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh as per Status of tigers, co-predators & prey in India, 2014.
(b) Question does not arise.
(c) The annual funding allocation under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger (CSS-PT) to Panna Tiger Reserve during last three years is at Annexure.
(d) Question does not arise. Annexure
National Tiger Conservation Authority
Annual Grant (Central share) provided for maintenance of Panna Tiger Reserve during 2013-14 to 2015-16 under Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger (CSS-PT). ***
S. Tiger 2013- 2014- 2015- State No. Reserve 14 15 16 Panna Madhya 1 Tiger 358.348 348.477 318.046 Pradesh Reserve Total 358.348 348.477 318.046
OIH GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 824 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.05.2016
Funds under Project Tiger
824. SHRI MAHENDRA SINGH MAHRA:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) the names of the States where Project Tiger is in operation at present together with the details thereof, State-wise; (b) the details of funds provided to the State Governments for the maintenance of each Project Tiger from the year 2013 to 2016; (c) whether Government has slashed the pre-determined fund allocations for those Projects; and (d) if so, whether the paucity of funds would not adversely affect those Projects;
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) The names of the States wherein Project Tiger is in operation at present alongwith the details thereof, State-wise, is at Annexure-I. (b) The details of funds provided to the State Governments for the maintenance of each Tiger Reserve under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger from the year 2013 to 2016 are at Annexure-II. (c) No, Sir. (d) Question does not arise.
***
ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 824 ON FUNDS UNDER PROJECT TIGER DUE FOR REPLY ON 02.05.2016
Names of the States alongwith details wherein Project Tiger is in operation at present, State-wise
Sl. No. State Name of Tiger Reserve Area of the core / Area of the buffer Total area critical tiger habitat / peripheral (In Sq.Kms.) (In Sq. Kms.) (In Sq. Kms.) 1 Karnataka Bandipur 872.24 584.06 1456.3 2 Uttarakhand Corbett 821.99 466.32 1288.31 Uttar Pradesh Amangarh (buffer of Corbett TR) - 80.60 80.60 3 Madhya Pradesh Kanha 917.43 1134.361 2051.791 4 Assam Manas 840.04 2310.88 3150.92 5 Maharashtra Melghat 1500.49 1268.03 2768.52 6 Jharkhand Palamau 414.08 715.85 1129.93 7 Rajasthan Ranthambore 1113.364 297.9265 1411.291 8 Odisha Similipal 1194.75 1555.25 2750.00 9 West Bengal Sunderbans 1699.62 885.27 2584.89 10 Kerala Periyar 881.00 44.00 925.00 11 Rajasthan Sariska 881.1124 332.23 1213.342 12 West Bengal Buxa 390.5813 367.3225 757.9038 13 Chhattisgarh Indravati 1258.37 1540.70 2799.07 14 Arunachal Pradesh Namdapha 1807.82 245.00 2052.82 15 Uttar Pradesh Dudhwa 1093.79 1107.9848 2201.7748 16 Tamil Nadu Kalakad-Mundanthurai 895.00 706.542 1601.542 17 Bihar Valmiki 598.45 300.93 899.38 18 Madhya Pradesh Pench 411.33 768.30225 1179.63225 19 Maharashtra Tadoba-Andhari 625.82 1101.7711 1727.5911 20 Madhya Pradesh Bandhavgarh 716.903 820.03509 1536.938 21 Madhya Pradesh Panna 576.13 1021.97 1598.10 22 Mizoram Dampa 500.00 488.00 988.00 23 Karnataka Bhadra 492.46 571.83 1064.29 24 Maharashtra Pench 257.26 483.96 741.22 25 Arunachal Pradesh Pakke 683.45 515.00 1198.45 26 Assam Nameri 320.00 144.00 464.00 27 Madhya Pradesh Satpura 1339.264 794.04397 2133.30797 28 Tamil Nadu Anamalai 958.59 521.28 1479.87 29 Chattisgarh Udanti-Sitanadi 851.09 991.45 1842.54 30 Odisha Satkosia 523.61 440.26 963.87 31 Assam Kaziranga 625.58 548.00 1173.58 32 Chattisgarh Achanakmar 626.195 287.822 914.017
33 Karnataka Dandeli-Anshi 814.884 282.63 1097.514 34 Madhya Pradesh Sanjay-Dubri 812.571 861.931 1674.502 35 Tamil Nadu Mudumalai 321.00 367.59 688.59 36 Karnataka Nagarahole 643.35 562.41 1205.76 37 Kerala Parambikulam 390.89 252.772 643.662 38 Maharashtra Sahyadri 600.12 565.45 1165.57 39 Karnataka Biligiri Ranganatha Temple 359.10 215.72 574.82 40 Telangana Kawal 892.23 1123.212 2015.44 41 Tamil Nadu Sathyamangalam 793.49 614.91 1408.40 42 Rajasthan Mukandra Hills 417.17 342.82 759.99 43 Maharashtra Nawegaon-Nagzira 653.674 - 653.674 44 Andhra Pradesh Nagarjunsagar Srisailam 2595.72 700.59 3296.31 45 Telangana Amrabad 2166.37 445.02 2611.39 46 Uttar Pradesh Pilibhit 602.7980 127.4518 730.2498 47 Maharashtra Bor 138.12 678.15 816.27 48 Uttarakhand Rajaji 819.54 255.63 1075.17 49 Assam Orang 79.28 413.18 492.46 TOTAL 39788.12 31250.45 71038.57
ANNEXURE-II
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 824 ON FUNDS UNDER PROJECT TIGER DUE FOR REPLY ON 02.05.2016
Details of funds provided to the State Governments for the maintenance of each Tiger Reserve under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger from the year 2013- to 2016
(Rs. in lakhs) Sl. No. States 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 (as on 27.4.2016) 1 Andhra Pradesh 211.7804 184.141 0.00 2 Arunachal Pradesh 757.1705 658.426 429.53900 3 Assam 808.9665 1509.389 1425.4130
4 Bihar 285.0898 317.096 223.55051 5 Chhattisgarh 583.056 609.827 398.94500 6 Jharkhand 251.168 199.080 47.98470 Total allocation is 7 Karnataka 2016.0318 1565.773 1378.19440 Rs. 37500 Lakhs 8 Kerala 489.296 517.5351 396.60100 for the current 9 Madhya Pradesh 4815.734 4335.118 1421.00700 financial year 10 Maharashtra 3453.3483 3425.524 3923.07890 11 Mizoram 233.68 232.189 187.98450 12 Odisha 786.9 707.391 544.80052 13 Rajasthan 512.848 627.192 1257.80800 14 Tamil Nadu 763.255 864.316 1950.17128 15 Uttarakhand 384.045 391.1941 683.98538 16 Uttar Pradesh 525.876 760.928 624.54630 17 West Bengal 348.516 596.882 376.50781 18 Goa 2.05 0.00 0.00 19 Telangana 0.00 0.00 214.81920 Total 17,228.81133 17,502.00 15484.9365 37500.00
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 836 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.05.2016
Tiger Protection Force
836. SHRI V.P. SINGH BADNORE:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) how many Project Tigers have been given “Tiger Protection Force” and the details of their numbers; and (b) how much fund has been allotted for such Force and the details thereof, State-wise during the last five years?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) The Special Tiger Protection Force is operational in 6 tiger reserves viz., Bandipur (Karnataka), Pench, Tadoba-Andhari and Melghat (Maharashtra), Similipal (Odisha) and Ranthambhore (Rajasthan) Tiger Reserves. Besides, funding assistance to tiger reserves is provided for various activities which interalia, includes antipoaching activities consisting of deployment of Tiger Protection Force / Squads including ex-servicemen and local workforce in all tiger reserves.
(b) The details of funds allocated and released for raising, arming and deploying the Special Tiger Protection Force, State-wise, during last five years is at Annexure-I. The details of funding assistance provided to tiger reserves, interalia including funds for Tiger Protection Force / Squads for last five years are at Annexure-II.
***
ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 836 ON TIGER PROTECTION FORCE DUE FOR REPLY ON 02.05.2016
Funding support provided for raising, arming and deploying the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger during last five years, State- wise
S. State 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 No. Allocation Release Allocation Release Allocation Release Allocation Release Allocation Release 1. Maharashtra 0.00 0.00 173.6023 173.6023 440.00 372.35 438.96 351.168 584.72 478.076
2. Karnataka 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 477.9772 477.9772 340.731 340.731 378.00 302.40 3. Odisha 300.00 240.00 0.00 0.00 250.00 200.00 250.00 200.00 200.00 160.00
***
ANNEXURE-II
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 836 ON TIGER PROTECTION FORCE DUE FOR REPLY ON 02.05.2016
Details of funding assistance provided to tiger reserves, interalia including funds for Tiger Protection Force / Squads for last five years
(Rs. in Lakhs)
Tiger Reserve States 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16
Nagarjunsagar Andhra Pradesh 154.406 208.68 121.3504 131.661 0.0000
Kawal Andhra Pradesh 0.0000 196.2104 90.4300 52.48 0.0000
Namdapha Arunachal 75.00 156.3832 324.1837 289.209 184.439 Pradesh Pakke Arunachal 161.7857 263.704 412.8568 369.217 245.1 Pradesh Kaziranga Assam 426.9168 250.286 708.9060 1136.656 1025.131
Manas Assam 479.62 0.0000 99.0765 328.199 259.86
Nameri Assam 40.972 123.608 0.0000 44.534 79.542
Orang Assam 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 60.88
Valmiki Bihar 172.193 311.064 284.7730 317.096 223.55051
Achanakmar Chhattisgarh 494.586 217.0924 255.6320 297.267 184.829
Indravati Chhattisgarh 106.13 69.45 75.5500 97.781 121.504
Udanti-Sitanadi Chhattisgarh 102.01 245.92 208.4560 214.779 92.612
Palamau Jharkhand 156.3465 107.44023 251.1680 199.08 47.9847
Bandipur Karnataka 213.9504 221.543 808.8410 676.753 581.4208
Bhadra Karnataka 215.8822 198.2391 306.9850 221.995 196.922
Dandeli Anshi Karnataka 159.204 136.18 434.5460 239.29 201.408
Nagarhole Karnataka 1123.133 222.049 251.1008 279.506 267.3064
Biligiri Ranganth Temple Karnataka 118.48 155.52 183.5970 148.2286 131.1372
Periyar Kerala 261.57 286.96 271.4880 286.584 226.416
Parambikulam Kerala 168.2 227.875 208.1840 230.9511 170.185
Bandhavgarh Madhya 2313.237 334.633 244.6120 282.481 237.1344 Pradesh Kanha Madhya 1969.67 4373.17 3162.2040 2792.154 354.352 Pradesh Panna Madhya 284.7956 295.9054 358.3480 348.477 318.046 Pradesh Pench Madhya 191.5300 128.44 314.2390 314.4614 181.4386 Pradesh Sanjay Dubri Madhya 92.6730 223.88 323.6850 263.291 169.396 Pradesh Satpura Madhya 310.8056 416.3354 393.0500 334.2538 160.64 Pradesh Melghat Maharashtra 973.5790 332.746 320.4880 2371.5512 2872.7568
Pench Maharashtra 280.8180 232.01715 343.4400 346.5453 364.3134
Tadoba-Andhari Maharashtra 2320.5485 222.37515 2564.4383 414.5646 393.44445 Sahyadri Maharashtra 47.3960 61.27 136.7660 124.1026 113.936
Nawegaon Nagzira Maharashtra 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 105.6 122.03545
Bor Maharashtra 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 63.1604 56.5928
Dampa Mizoram 225.2880 468.31 233.6800 232.1896 187.9845
Satkosia Odisha 118.4080 142.956 191.3030 192.0869 167.45412
Similipal Odisha 436.6681 20.8 556.8900 515.3016 377.3464
Ranthambhore Rajasthan 0.6000 2834.955 304.5200 260.22 182.12
Sariska Rajasthan 66.6100 1255.612 208.3280 274.35 1016.533
Mukandara Rajasthan 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 92.622 59.155
Kalakad Mundanthurai Tamil Nadu 209.8250 143.997 127.6950 195.35 145.189
Mudumalai Tamil Nadu 191.5830 138.795 229.1160 243.786 1559.492
Anamalai Tamil Nadu 204.5560 163.191 252.8440 272.639 140.7564
Sathyamangalam Tamil Nadu 0.0000 0.0000 144.0200 152.541 104.73388
Kawal Telangana 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 128.8048
Amrabad Telangana 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 86.0144
Rajaji Uttarakhand 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 273.154
Corbett Tiger Uttarakhand 399.7600 160.69 377.6890 391.1941 410.83138
Buxa West Bengal 135.6600 177.2 136.4700 205.71 108.7324
Sunderbans West Bengal 22.0000 227.716 211.3400 391.1725 267.77541
Dudhwa Uttar Pradesh 446.1258 334.055 525.8760 484.4133 500.0883
Pilibhit Uttar Pradesh 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000 276.515 124.458
Total 15872.5222 16287.25343 16958.1655 17502.0000 15484.9365
*** GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 842 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.05.2016
Reduction of funds for Project Tiger
842. SHRI HISHEY LACHUNGPA:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) whether funds in the Project Tiger have been reduced over the years; (b) if so, what are the details of funds allocated for the project during the last three years; (c) whether, due to reduced funds, security and safety of tigers has been compromised leading to poaching of tigers; and (d) if so, the details thereof and the efforts made to save the tigers?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) No Sir. (b) The details of funds allocated for the Project Tiger under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme during the last three years and the current year are at Annexure-I. (c) Question does not arise. (d) The efforts made to protect the tigers are at Annexure-II.
***
ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 842 ON REDUCTION OF FUNDS FOR PROJECT TIGER DUE FOR REPLY ON 02.05.2016
Details of funds allocated for the Project Tiger under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme during the last three years and the current year
(Rs. in lakhs) Sl. No. States 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 1 Andhra Pradesh 211.7804 184.141 0.00 2 Arunachal Pradesh 757.1705 658.426 429.53900
3 Assam 808.9665 1509.389 1425.4130 4 Bihar 285.0898 317.096 223.55051 5 Chhattisgarh 583.056 609.827 398.94500 6 Jharkhand 251.168 199.080 47.98470
7 Karnataka 2016.0318 1565.773 1378.19440 Total allocation is 8 Kerala 489.296 517.5351 396.60100 Rs. 37500 Lakhs for the current financial 9 Madhya Pradesh 4815.734 4335.118 1421.00700 year 10 Maharashtra 3453.3483 3425.524 3923.07890 11 Mizoram 233.68 232.189 187.98450 12 Odisha 786.9 707.391 544.80052 13 Rajasthan 512.848 627.192 1257.80800 14 Tamil Nadu 763.255 864.316 1950.17128 15 Uttarakhand 384.045 391.1941 683.98538 16 Uttar Pradesh 525.876 760.928 624.54630 17 West Bengal 348.516 596.882 376.50781 18 Goa 2.05 0.00 0.00 19 Telangana 0.00 0.00 214.81920 Total 17,228.81133 17,502.00 15,484.9365 37500.00
ANNEXURE-II
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 842 ON REDUCTION OF FUNDS FOR PROJECT TIGER DUE FOR REPLY ON 02.05.2016
Efforts made to protect the tigers
(i) Providing assistance to States under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger for protection infrastructure and antipoaching operations (including deployment of Tiger Protection Force and Special Tiger Protection Force) (ii) Providing grant through NTCA for patrolling in tiger rich sensitive forest areas outside tiger reserves (iii) Alerting the States as and when required (iv) Transmitting backward / forward linkages of information relating to poachers (v) Advising the States for combing forest floor to check snares / traps (vi) Performing supervisory field visits through the National Tiger Conservation Authority and its regional offices (vii) Using information technology for improved surveillance (e-Eye system) using thermal cameras launched in Corbett (viii) Launching tiger reserve level monitoring using camera trap to keep a photo ID database of individual tigers (ix) Preparing a national database of individual tiger photo captures to establish linkage with body parts seized or dead tigers (x) Assisting States to refine protection oriented monitoring through monitoring system for tiger’s intensive protection and ecological status (M-STrIPES) (xi) Assisting States to deploy local workforce in a big way for protection to complement the efforts of field staff [In all, approximately 24 lakh mandays are generated annually with 50% central assistance amounting to around Rs. 24 crores (excluding matching 50% share given by States) under Project Tiger. Many local tribes constitute such local workforce (besides non- tribals), eg. Baigas, Gonds in Madhya Pradesh, Gonds in Maharashtra, Chenchus in Andhra Pradesh, Sholigas in Karnataka, Gujjars in Uttarakhand and Irulas in Tamil Nadu to name a few. The deployment of such local tribals has been fostered / encouraged in the last two years]. (xii) Initiative taken for collaboration of National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau towards an online tiger / wildlife crime tracking / reporting system in tiger reserves.
*** GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 844 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.05.2016
Increase in wild tiger count
844. SHRI D. KUPENDRA REDDY:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the wild tiger count has increased for the first time in the country, as per recent estimates; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the E-eye system of tracking tigers in the country has been started; and (d) if so, the details thereof and to what extent this would be helpful in protecting the endangered animals from poaching?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) & (b) Yes Sir. In India, it has shown increasing trend with subsequent estimations which got initiated in the year 2006, wherein count was 1411 in 2006, 1706 in 2010 and 2226 in 2014. The details are at Annexure-I. (c) & (d) Yes Sir. The e-Eye is operational in Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand, and Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. The same has also been installed in Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, Assam. Besides observing the movement of tigers and other animals, this acts as an early warning system wherein movement of poachers and intruders can be viewed before they reach the sensitive areas of tiger reserves, thereby preventing poaching of tigers and other endangered animals.
***
ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) & (b) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 844 ON INCREASE IN WILD TIGER COUNT DUE FOR REPLY ON 02.05.2016
Details of tiger estimation pertaining to tiger landscapes in the country, for the years 2006, 2010 and 2014
State Tiger Population 2006 2010 2014 Shivalik-Gangetic Plain Landscape Complex Uttarakhand 178 (161-195) 227 (199-256) 340 Uttar Pradesh 109 (91-127) 118 (113-124) 117 Bihar 10 (7-13) 8 (-) 28 Shivalik Gangetic 297 (259-335) 353 (320-388) 485 (427-543) Central Indian Landscape Complex and Eastern Ghats Landscape Complex Andhra Pradesh (including Telangana) 95 (84-107) 72 (65-79) 68 Chhattisgarh 26 (23-28) 26 (24-27) 46 Madhya Pradesh 300 (236-364) 257 (213-301) 308 Maharashtra 103 (76-131) 169 (155-183) 190 Odisha 45 (37-53) 32 (20-44) 28 Rajasthan 32 (30-35) 36 (35-37) 45 Jharkhand - 10 (6-14) 3+ Central India 601 (486-718) 601 (518-685) 688 (596-780) Western Ghats Landscape Complex Karnataka 290 (241-339) 300 (280-320) 406 Kerala 46 (39-53) 71 (67-75) 136 Tamil Nadu 76 (56-95) 163 (153-173) 229 Goa - - 5 Western Ghats 402 (336-487) 534 (500-568) 776 (685-861) North Eastern Hills and Brahmaputra Flood Plains Assam 70 (60-80) 143 (113-173) 167 Arunachal Pradesh 14 (12-18) - 28♣ Mizoram 6 (4-8) 5 3+ North West Bengal 10 (8-12) - 3 North East Hills, and Brahmaputra 100 (84-118) 148 (118-178) 201 (174-212) Sunderbans - 70 (64-90) 76 (92-96)
TOTAL 1411 (1165-1657) 1706 (1520-1909) 2226 (1945-2491)
+ From scat DNA ♣ From camera trap data and scat DNA
***
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 44 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.04.2016
Rise in Man-animal conflict
44. SHRI ANIL DESAI:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) whether there has been an alarming rise in man-animal conflicts during the last few years and fatalities often involve elephants, leopards, bears, boars and tigers; and (b) if so, what steps the Ministry is taking to protect the natural heritage so that man and animal can live in harmony?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) Incidences of negative human-wildlife interactions including the loss of human lives and damage to crops by wild animals are reported in various parts of the country from time to time. Management of forest and wildlife is the responsibility of State Governments. As such State-wise and year-wise data of such incidents are not collated in the Ministry. However, the reports received from the States in National Tiger Conservation Authority and Project Elephant indicate the following data on human casualties due to Tiger and Elephant.
Year Tiger Elephant 2012-13 22 371 2013-14 24 335 2014-15 26 63 Total 72 769
(b) The Central Government provides financial assistance to the States/ Union Territory Governments under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of 'Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats', 'Project Tiger' and ’Project Elephant' for the management of wildlife and its habitats in the country, which inter alia helps in preventing human-animal conflict. The activities supported under the Schemes inter alia include construction /erection of physical barriers, such as barbed wire fence, solar powered electric fence, bio-fencing using cactus, boundary walls etc. to prevent the entry of wild animals into crop fields; improvement of wildlife habitat of wild animals by augmenting the availability of food and water in forest areas to reduce the entry of animals from forests to habitations and setting up of anti- depredation squads to drive away problematic animals. As an immediate measure, states can also provide ex-gratia relief to the victims of wildlife attack on life or property.
Further, keeping in view the losses to crops inflicted by the wild animals, this Ministry, on 24th December, 2014 issued an advisory to the States highlighting the legal provisions under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 to deal with the human-wildlife conflict situations. Vide this advisory, Ministry has also sought proposals from State/Union Territory Governments, after objective assessment of the situation with details of the areas in which notification under section 62 of the Act, listing wild animals in Schedule V for specified period, could be helpful in management of conflict.
Further to this, Ministry has also issued a detailed advisory on 1st June, 2015 to the State/Union Territory Governments regarding the priority actions for management of human wildlife conflict.
****
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1803 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2016
Death of big cats in reserved forests of Maharashtra
1803. SHRI RAJKUMAR DHOOT:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that, of late, the number of deaths of big cats in the reserved forests of Maharashtra has increased; (b) if so, the details thereof; and (c) what action Government has taken in the matter and what action Government proposes to take to prevent such incidents?
ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a)&(b) As per report received from the State Government of Maharashtra, details of death of tiger and leopard, in Maharashtra during the last three years and the current year are as below:
Animal Cause of 2013 2014 2015 2016 death (upto Feb) Tiger Natural 5 4 12 2 Accidental 2 1 1 0 Poaching 7 0 0 0 Under section 1 1 0 0 11 of WLP - Hunting Total 15 6 13 2
Leopard Natural 17 32 30 06 Accidental 19 24 29 04 Poaching 07 09 07 00 Total 43 65 66 10 Grand Total 58 71 79 12
(c) Death of wild animals can occur in forest due to natural factors or due to poaching. Following steps are taken by the Government for preventing poaching: i. Undertaking regular day/night patrolling by the forest frontline/protective staff. ii. Surprise checking of beats. iii. Arms and vehicles are provided to field staff for patrolling. iv. Check post are erected at sensitive points. v. Awareness program for public, school children and forest staff are organized regularly. vi. Anti poaching squads are deployed for controlling of illegal activities. vii. Special Tiger Protection Forces (STPF) have been deployed in Pench, Tadoba, Melgaht and Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserves for strengthening protection work. viii. A template for preparing a security plan has been issued by National Tiger Conservation Authority to the States which is incorporated in the overarching Tiger Conservation Plan mandated under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
***
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1809 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2016
Endangered species
1809. SHRI DILIP KUMAR TIRKEY: SHRI MD. NADIMUL HAQUE
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) the details of endangered species including animals, birds, fisheries in the country ; (b) the details of steps taken by Government to protect the aforesaid species from being extinct ; and (c) the details of funds allocated and released for the conservation of the aforesaid species during the last three years, State-wise and species-wise ?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change conduct survey of threatened and important species of the country. As per the data available with BSI, out of 19156 species of vascular plants (Angiosperms, Gymnosperms, Pteridophytes) from various surveys carried out in the country, 1236 species belong to different threatened categories like Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable.
Studies conducted by ZSI have recorded over 96,000 species of animals from India. Among this, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed 18 species of amphibians, 14 fishes, 13 bird species and 10 mammals as Critically Endangered and 310 species as endangered, including 69 fishes, 38 mammals and 32 amphibians.
(b) Towards conservation of threatened species, the Government of India has established a Protected Area (PAs) network (730 PAs including 103 National Parks, 535 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 26 Community Reserves, and 66 Conservation Reserves in different biogeographic regions), which primarily covers habitats of threatened megafauna such as tiger, rhino, elephant, etc. Moreover 9 of the 18 Biosphere Reserves in India are part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves of UNESCO.
Biological Diversity Act, 2002, was inter-alia enacted to ensure protection of threatened species and their habitats. Under the provisions of Section 38 of the National Biodiversity Act, 2002, the species which are on the verge of extinction or likely to become extinct in near future as threatened species, are notified. Ministry has already issued notifications for 14 states to this effect.
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme 'Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats' has been modified in 2008-09 by including a new component namely 'Recovery of Endangered Species' and 16 species have been identified for recovery viz. Snow Leopard, Bustard (including Floricans), Dolphin, Hangul, Nilgiri Tahr, Marine Turtles, Dugong, Edible Nest Swiftlet, Asian Wild Buffalo, Nicobar Megapode, Manipur Brow-antlered Deer, Vultures, Malabar Civet, Indian Rhinoceros, Asiatic Lion, Swamp Deer and Jerdon’s Courser.
The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 has been enacted for protection of wild animals, birds and plants against hunting and commercial exploitation. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been empowered under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 to apprehend and prosecute wildlife offende ` The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has been set up for control of poaching and illegal trade in wildlife and its products.
Comprehensive guidelines under section 38O 1 (c) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 have been issued for Project Tiger and Tourism in Tiger Reserves on 15th October, 2012.
Constitution of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) with effect from the 4th September, 2006, for strengthening tiger conservation by, interalia, ensuring normative standards in tiger reserve management, preparation of reserve specific tiger conservation plan, laying down annual audit report before Parliament, constituting State level Steering Committees under the Chairmanship of Chief Ministers and establishment of Tiger Conservation Foundation.
A multidisciplinary Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau) has been constituted with effect from the 6th June, 2007 to effectively control illegal trade in wildlife.
(c) National CAMPA Advisory Council (NCAC) has approved the funding support for recovery program of following endangered species :
(i) Dugong with budget of ` 23.58 crore. (ii) Gangetic River Dolphin with budget of ` 23 Crore. (iii) Great Indian Bustard with ` 108.25 crore. (iv) Manipur Brow Antlered Deer with budgetary support of ` 99.95 crore. (v) Wild Buffalo with ` 2 crore.
The funds allocated and released to the State/UT Governments under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes of ‘Integrated Development of wildlife Habitat’. ‘Project Tiger’ and ‘Project Elephant’ for last three years are annexed at Annexure-I, II and III.
***
ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (C) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1809 RAISED BY SHRI DILIP KUMAR TIRKEY AND SHRI MD. NADIMUL HAQUE REGARDING ‘ENDANGERED SPECIES’ DUE FOR REPLY ON 14.03.2016
Details of funds released under CSS-IDWH during last three years and the current year (` in lakh)
S.No. State/UT 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 (As on 24.2.2016) 1 A& N Islands 109.50 150.00 00 100.00 2 Andhra Pradesh 180.335 00 63.31 0 3 Arunachal Pradesh 162.376 220.439 00 304.02 4 Assam 146 138.88 149.11 87.10 5 Bihar 64.685 34.8715 85.249 108.011 6 Chhattisgarh 449.566 408.74 482.087 213.409 7 Goa 148.12 00 00 00 8 Gujarat 517.926 537.84457 634.94 395.798 9 Haryana 52 00 14.71 99.33 10 Himachal Pradesh 318.967 475.849 430.345 431.837 11 Jammu & Kashmir 515.957 485.747 506.761 354.00 12 Jharkhand 81.6195 97.7655 101.12 00 13 Karnataka 434.502 351.00 483.7769 262.13 14 Kerala 1210.08 505.782 818.491 967.386 15 Madhya Pradesh 467.707 454.354 371.354 296.43 16 Maharashtra 425.883 470.772 402.723 277.94 17 Manipur 73.925 80.80 129.192 248.919 18 Meghalaya 22.08 25.56 44.87 38.3902 19 Mizoram 96.392 210.334 131.54134 94.55 20 Nagaland 25.855 15.375 85.155 235.48 21 Odisha 368.208 341.7448 350.3229 231.084 22 Rajasthan 478.249 430.884 367.296 307.09 23 Sikkim 177.579 129.27836 169.15643 290.32635 24 Tamil Nadu 258.479 277.7918 280.626 113.261 25 Telangana - - - - 26 Uttar Pradesh 319.09 323.531 224.899 228.03 27 Uttarakhand 220.27 326.282 141.116 188.318 28 West Bengal 164.135 184.3735 108.847 100.934 29 Puducherry 0 0 12.00 00 TOTAL 7489.4855 6677.999 6588.99857 5973.77355
ANNEXURE-II
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (C) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1809 RAISED BY SHRI DILIP KUMAR TIRKEY AND SHRI MD. NADIMUL HAQUE REGARDING ‘ENDANGERED SPECIES’ DUE FOR REPLY ON 14.03.2016
Fund allocated / released under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger for protection of tigers during the last three years (` in lakhs)
Sl. No. States 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15
1 Andhra Pradesh 404.8904 211.7804 184.141
2 Arunachal Pradesh 420.0872 757.1705 658.426
3 Assam 373.894 808.9665 1509.389
4 Bihar 311.064 285.0898 317.096
5 Chhattisgarh 532.4632 583.056 609.827
6 Jharkhand 107.44023 251.168 199.080
7 Karnataka 933.5311 2016.0318 1565.773
8 Kerala 514.835 489.296 517.5351
9 Madhya Pradesh 5772.3638 4815.734 4335.118
10 Maharashtra 848.4083 3453.3483 3425.524
11 Mizoram 468.31 233.68 232.189
12 Odisha 163.756 786.9 707.391
13 Rajasthan 4090.567 512.848 627.192
14 Tamil Nadu 445.983 763.255 864.316
15 Telangana 0.00 0.00 0.00
16 Uttarakhand 160.69 384.045 391.1941
17 Uttar Pradesh 334.055 525.876 760.928
18 West Bengal 404.916 348.516 596.882
19 Goa 0.00 2.05 0.00
Total 16,287.25423 17,228.81133 17,502.00 ANNEXURE-III
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (C) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1809 RAISED BY SHRI DILIP KUMAR TIRKEY AND SHRI MD. NADIMUL HAQUE REGARDING ‘ENDANGERED SPECIES’ DUE FOR REPLY ON 14.03.2016
Funds Allocated, Released and Utilized under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Project Elephant”
2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 (AS ON 3.3.16 Allocation Released Allocation Released Allocation Released 1. Andhra 17.10 - 15.35 13.523 11.02 - Pradesh 2. Arunachal 108.96 83.48 87.30 97.714 70.64 61.206 Pradesh 3. Assam 215.19 173.00 292.83 236.664 282.11 - 4. Chhattisgarh 63.29 49.622 49.24 43.7456 29.46 21.91 5. Jharkhand 129.28 95.655 109.68 88.4256 79.75 53.453 6. Karnataka 379.68 325.412 275.19 225.319 230.32 181.054 7. Kerala 297.89 252.90 296.85 236.72 254.71 204.54 8. Maharashtra 23.47 18.682 9.54 38.202 9.08 8.062 9. Meghalaya 126.43 101.00 117.64 118.838 88.30 81.387 10. Nagaland 21.75 21.75 17.77 44.8132 12.92 15.44 11. Odisha 257.60 257.60 170.08 153.35 128.04 105.63 12. Tamil Nadu 264.28 211.00 247.65 251.208 184.45 160.533 13. Tripura 12.72 9.766 5.97 6.03 4.31 26.109 14. Uttar 42.49 - 25.69 5.16 22.67 15.33 Pradesh 15. Uttarakhand 165.46 115.068 148.60 103.908 102.21 82.61 16. West 132.41 97.626 102.62 103.814 74.09 56.83 Bengal 17. Rajasthan - - - - 6.76 - 18. Andaman & - - - - 8.53 6.775 Nicobar 19. Bihar - - - - 5.64 3.008 20. Punjab - - - - 0.97 - 21. Gujarat - - - - 2.42 - 22. Haryana - 30.97 - - 1.60 10.00 23. Manipur - - - - 24. Mizoram - - - - Total 2258.00 1843.531 1972.00 1767.4344 1610.00 1093.877
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1787 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2016
Guidelines to study behaviour of tigers
1787. SHRI SALIM ANSARI:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has laid down guidelines to study the behaviour of tigers in different parts of the country; (b) if so, the details thereof; (c) whether Government has radio-collared the tigers during the last one year; (d) whether some tigers have died due to laceration wounds allegedly due to radio collar; and (e) if so, the details in this regard?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) & (b) No Sir. However, radio telemetric studies on various aspects, inter alia including behaviour of a tiger are conducted by institutes such as Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun in collaboration with concerned tiger States and in consultation with the National Tiger Conservation Authority. (c) Yes Sir. (d) No Sir. (e) Question does not arise.
***
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.64 ANSWERED ON 22.07.2016
TIGER TRAIL CIRCUIT TRAIN IN SUNDERBANS
*64. SHRI MD. NADIMUL HAQUE:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the Tiger Trail Circuit Train does not pass through the Sunderbans;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(c) whether the Ministry will consider including Sunderbans in the itinerary of the Tiger Trail Circuit Train, if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU)
(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF STARRED QUESTION NO.64 BY SHRI MD. NADIMUL HAQUE ANSWERED IN RAJYA SABHA ON 22.07.2016 REGARDING TIGER TRAIL CIRCUIT TRAIN IN SUNDERBANS
(a) to (c): The present itinerary of the tourist train Tiger Express covers Delhi – Katni (Bandhavgarh and Kanha) – Jabalpur (Bedhaghat and Dhuadhar waterfall) – Delhi and does not cover Sunderbans. Presently, there is no plan to add Sunderbans on the Tiger Express itinerary. Addition of more destinations / tourist circuits to the itinerary of tourist trains is a continuous process, based on availability of resources and market demand. *****