Maharashtra registers maximum number of tiger deaths in 2017, reveals new data

On world Tiger Day, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has released statistics that are really alarming. According to the statistics, Maharashtra has recorded the highest number of Tiger death followed by the Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.

According to the statutory body, Maharashtra has also recorded the highest number of tiger body seizure. Around 50 per cent of the deceased tigers were less than a year old. Last year, the state recorded 16 natural deaths and only one case of body parts seizure.

The causes of death range from territorial fights, accident electrocution and Human intervention including poaching. According to the report karnataka has 406 tigers while Madhya Pradesh has 308 tigers. In maharashtra there are only 202 tigers but registered highest mortality rate.

Tigers are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1986. According to the state forest department, there are 202 tigers currently across the state.

NTCA officials said that the increase in tiger deaths in Maharashtra indicated increased vigilance and more detection by the forest department. “As compared to the total number of tigers in all three states, the deaths recorded are a very small number. It also indicates that the detection level has increased in core forest areas,” said a senior NTCA official from it’s central wing. “Recent poaching cases are being investigated in Maharashtra and we working along with the local forest department to control such instances.

However, this report contradicted by a Delhi based NGO according to which Karnataka has the highest Tiger mortality rates in 2017.

The data published by NTCA, 12 tigers in maharashtra died due to natural causes while fours were poached. In madhya pradesh, one incident of tiger body part seizure was reported while 13 tigers died of natural causes. 12 tigers died of natural causes in Karnataka while one body was recovered. In uttrakhand 11 tigers died because of natural causes.

Wildlife Protection Society of India released its statistics on Tiger mortality on World Tiger Day that revealed increased instances of poaching in Maharashtra. According to the WPSI data, 15 tiger deaths have been reported in Karnataka so far this year making it the state with highest Tiger mortality. 

Also Read: Global network's concern over India’s tiger poaching data management mechanism