Tiger population dwindling in State ...By Sivasish Thakur in the ASSAM TRIBUNE

GUWAHATI - As the tiger is caught in a losing battle with conservationists and experts predicting its total extinction by 2020, given its current rate of disappearance, it is important to take a note of the big cat’s status in the North-East, particularly the State, which has been traditionally an ideal tiger habitat. A study of the population pattern in the State’s tiger reserves and national parks reveals a somewhat mixed scenario, with some recording an increase, while in some others it is definitely a cause of grave concern. Again, the margin of error in the traditional methods of counting apart, the credibility of official data has also come under the scanner following the Sariska experience, with the CBI probe establishing that forest authorities had actually hushed up tiger deaths caused by poaching.

The Kaziranga National Park, which is yet to be accorded the status of a tiger reserve, has left behind most tiger reserves and national parks with as many as 86 tiger counts in the last census. Probably not many are aware of the fact that this acclaimed rhinoland has also the country’s highest density of tigers – something that was taken due note of in the recently-concluded Prime Minister’s conference with field directors of tiger reserves. “In all likelihood, Kaziranga should be a tiger reserve by year-end, which would greatly enhance the conservation prospects of the tiger at a time when its numbers have hit the rock bottom in many protected areas across the country.

If Kaziranga has been a success story in tiger conservation, the Manas Tiger Reserve and National Park presents a picture in stark contrast. Among the country’s earliest tiger reserves formed in 1973, Manas’ 65 tigers (as per 1997 census) is a far cry from its pre-1989 count of 125. Conservationists, however, are sceptical of the official figures and fear that its current population will not exceed 40. The decade-old insurgency and social unrest since the late 80s had done substantial harm to its wildlife and flora, but the positive indication is that the past couple of years have seen normalcy returning to this most picturesque Park, with hundreds of tourists flocking it.

The famed 1,985-sq km Namdapha Tiger Reserve of Arunachal Pradesh, also a national park, recorded 64 tigers in the last count, done in December 2003, while the Pakke Tiger Reserve (861.95 sq km) registered 36 big cats at the same time. It is difficult to compare previous census figures for lack of authentic data. Arunachal Pradesh Forest officials, however, maintain that the tiger is thriving in these areas, which is mainly attributable to the fact that compared to other States, the level of human disturbance is minimal in Arunachal due to its remoteness, rugged terrain and inaccessibility. “Tiger sightings have been fairly regular in Namdapha and Pakke, and we have reasons to believe that their number is actually increasing,” sources in the Arunachal Forest Department told this correspondent.

Poaching and encroachment have been some of the problems affecting Namdapha, which boasts of the highest animal diversity among the country’s protected areas with 96 species of mammals. “The traditional hunting practices of some tribes are one problem. Moreover, when these tribal people go to other destinations, they often have to pass through the forests for several days and indulge in killing of animals, often for food,” the sources revealed.

While Pakke is free from encroachment, Namdapha has been grappling with it for quite some time. “A number of people have been residing inside the Park for years. But of late there have been efforts from the Forest Department to relocate them outside the Park boundaries,” the sources added. The tiger is a major predator in several other protected areas and reserve forests in Arunachal, as in Assam. But as no estimates have been made, it is not possible to gather relevant data on their numbers. Many conservationists, however, feel that the tiger may have a healthy population in some of those areas, especially in Arunachal. The Nameri Tiger Reserve and National Park in Assam, as per the latest census conducted in March 2005, is home to 37 tigers - 18 males, 16 females and three cubs. It marks an increase of 11 over the previous census figure of 26. “The census indicates the figures of the 200-sq km core area,” a forest official said, adding that the meandering Jiabhoroli and the Park’s contiguity with the Pakke Tiger Reserve of Arunachal act a natural barrier to human interference like encroachment and poaching. The Orang National Park, once a major rhino and tiger habitat, has witnessed a slump in the population of both. The last census of 2000 indicated 19 tigers, which is a steep fall from the 28 counted in 1997. But in 1993, the figure had been even lower at 15. “One census was due late last year, but could not be conducted due to some problems. We are, however, optimistic that the next counting, scheduled for this year, will show more tigers, as tiger sightings have improved in recent times,” Sukumar Momin, DFO, Mangaldai Wildlife Division, said.