Cases linked to tiger deaths total 411 in 5 yrs: Centre

Putting a big question mark over the safety of tigers in national parks and reserves, 411 cases relating to poaching and death of tigers and illegal trade in skin and bones have been reported across India from 1999-2003, said an affidavit filed by the Environment Ministry in the Supreme Court.

‘‘An independent agency was commissioned to compile and analyse available country-level tiger poaching data over a period of five years (1999 to 2003). The data collected records 411 cases during the five years out of which 184 records relate to mortality and 238 records relate to seizures,’’ stated the affidavit.

The affidavit was filed in response to environmentalist Ashok Kumar’s application seeking extension of the CBI probe in the Sariska reserve to other Project Tiger locations.