While it is a matter of pride that India’s tiger population is nearly 3,000 strong in the backdrop of shrinking forests, we cannot afford to ignore reports of growing man-animal conflict (Page 1, “India has nearly 3,000 tigers, up by a third from 2014 count”, July 30). The ‘encounter’ in Maharashtra last year with Avni the tigress and, more recently, two incidents, the first where a tigress and her cubs were poisoned at Chandrapur, Maharashtra and the second where another tigress was beaten to death by villagers in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, a few days ago, should set alarm bells ringing.
Steps must be taken to find a solution to growing encroachments in wild habitats. The importance of wildlife protection has to be inculcated from primary school level.
M. Pradyu,
Thalikavu, Kannur, Kerala
At last India’s national animal has got its due. But what is disturbing is the lack of awareness of the dwindling population of Asiatic lions in Gujarat’s Gir forest, which is the last bastion for this species. I hope the authorities concerned will now take necessary action to protect this equally magnificent animal before it is too late.
C.R. Gopalarathnam,
Thillaisthanam, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
The tiger could be out of danger, but we must admit that we are failing to conserve other endangered animals. Not a day goes by without reports of elephants being killed in various ways. The problem seems to be more pronounced in West Bengal, Odisha and Assam. Development in Chhattisgarh and Odisha in the form of mining companies is creating disturbances resulting in human-elephant conflict. Tiger conservation must be an umbrella move to save other species too.
Mejari Mallikarjuna,
Nadigadda, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
