LUCKNOW, Dec 26: The Uttar Pradesh Government has a callous attitude as far as the question of protecting tigers is concerned. At least that's what it seems like, given the increasing number of unnatural deaths among the tiger population in the state. The attitude of the Government has made Project Tiger completely dysfunctional in two of the states' national parks.Six tigers have been found dead this year, including three in Corbett and Dudhwa National Parks, which are covered under Project Tiger. While one was shot dead by poachers in Katarnia Ghat of Behraich district, another in the same area was crushed to death by a train recently. One tiger died in a clash with an elephant at Rajaji Park in Agra and one tigress died of a viral infection at the Lucknow zoo. Two other animals in the zoo are still in a serious condition.Two tigers were found dead at the Corbett National park under mysterious circumstances earlier this month. Forest department officials are quick to say that they suspect dishonest NGOs to be behind these killings. Ostensibly, because the the NGO's financial clout goes up as the tigers state worsens.Forest department sources claim that while they were probing the animals' deaths, some villagers told them that members of an NGO offered them a large amount of money if they could arrange tiger carcasses.``Tigers at the Corbett Park died after they consumed poisonous meat, which might have been arranged by residents of any of the nearby villages, who may have been bribed by these NGOs,'' said a senior forest department official.Alarmed by these deaths, the forest department has made it obligatory for any NGO working in the Corbett Park to get its permission first. Besides, the department suspended three employees for laxity and dereliction of duty.Two NGOs are active in Corbett Park but these have a good track record. It is suspected that some NGOs from outside are involved in these deaths.While the NGO angle may well be worth pursuing, what is quite clear is that the UP Government has failed to do enough to protect the National animal. Twenty-five years have passed since Project Tiger was started in 1973 but even now the Forest Act of 1927 forms the legal matrix for much of the conservation effort. An antiquated piece of legislation that has gaping loopholes, the Act has not been amended or repealed despite several requests to do so over the years.
