429 tigers killed by poachers since 2008, reveals RTI reply

As many as 429 tigers have been poached and killed since 2008 across country, with maximum of 71 in Mhya Presh during period, revealed data obtained under Right to Information (RTI) Act.

Year-wise, maximum killings took place in 2011 when 80 tigers were poached, while minimum of 17 occurred in 2015, according to data from  Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), under  Ministry of Environment and Forests.

 WCCB is a statutory body formed to combat organised wildlife crime in country. In 2018, 22 tigers were killed, down from 25 in 2017 and 48 in 2016, it stated in a written response.

ida-based lawyer Ranjan Tomar h sought state-wise data from bureau on number of tigers killed by poachers since 2008.

maximum killings of 71tigershave been reported from MP, followed by 46 each in Maharashtra and Karnataka, 42 each in Assam and Chhattisgarh and 35 in Uttarakhand during period, according to data.

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Tamil Nu and Uttar Presh reported 25 such killings each, 19 in Kerala, followed by 12 in West Bengal, 11 each in Haryana and Himachal Presh, it stated. Six tiger killings by poachers were reported in Delhi -- two each in 2011 and 2012, one each in 2013 and 2014, and one in 2008, it ded.

tably, re are 14 states and Union Territories -- Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshweep, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Puducherry, Punjab, Sikkim and Tripura -- from where such killings have been reported since 2008, according to data.

" number of tiger killings has come down in recent years, as shown in data, which is good news for wildlife conservationists and enthusiasts. However, concern still looms large over such killings and poaching continuing," Tomar said.

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"It is essential to save wildlife if we want to protect  environment. Animals like elephants and tigers are critical to human survival because of ir position in  natural food chain and losing m could endanger our existence," 30-year-old social activist told PTI.

Tomar h also sought details of  tiger census of 2008 and 2018 but bureau said such data was maintained by it. re was also information with department on amount of tiger skin or body parts recovered from poachers during period.