Tiger population dwindles to 1,400 in India

Tiger population dwindles to 1,400 in India

5 Oct 2008, 1929 hrs IST,PTI

UDHAGAMANDALAM (TAMIL NADU): Tiger population in 30 Tiger reserves in the country have dwindled to 1,411 at present from the 1,800 in 1972, according to statistics.

The country had 40,000 tigers in 1900, statistics released by CPR Environmental Education Centre (CPREEC), which is organising an exhibition titled "Tiger Tiger", on Sunday said.

"The habitats have been lost due to severe deforestation, contributing to the dwindling tiger numbers," it said.

Non-forestry activities, fragmentation of forest patches were the major causes for the dwindling tiger population, it said. The exhibition sought to raise awareness about the need to save the tiger.

"This would also provide a complete overview of the National animal -- its evolution, behaviour, social structure, cultural role, ecological significance, human impact upon it and what should be done to conserve it," it said.

The CPREEC is a Centre of Excellence of the Ministry of Environment and Forests established jointly by the Ministry and CP Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earth/Indias_tiger_population_drops/articleshow/3563198.cms

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