“As per the findings of the recent All India tiger estimation in 2008 using refined methodology, the total country-level population of tigers is 1,411 (mid-value); the lower and upper limits being 1,165 and 1,657 respectively,” Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh told Lok Sabha.
According to state-wise details of the tiger population, Madhya Pradesh has the highest number with 300 tigers followed by Karnataka (290), Uttarakhand (178), Uttar Pradesh (109) and Maharashtra (103).
Madhya Pradesh tops the list of tiger deaths also. The state has reported 13 tiger deaths in the year, Assam had 10. Nine tigers died in Karnataka last year. There are 17 states in the country that have tigers.
Beginning with a tiger count of 1,827 in 1970, a number that was considered dangerously low and which, therefore, led to the launching of this wildlife conservation project. As many as 139 tigers have been killed in India's forests since 2006.
Contrary to the belief, poaching is not the only reason for the disappearance of tigers, though it remains an important factor. Of the 66 big cats that have died this year, 23 are believed to be the victims of illegal hunters; the others died on account of in-fighting because of diminishing prey, tiger-human conflict, poor health cover and old age.
