59 tiger deaths this year; MP tops chart with 13
Monday, November 23, 2009
MP leads in Tiger deaths as state govt refuses to bring in accountability
Jairam Ramesh, central Minister MOEF today made a statement in Rajya Sabha expressing concern at the doubling of tiger deaths in INdia to 58 as against 29 last year. Leading the list is Madhya Pradesh with 13 deaths. For months now the centre has been pushing state govt to sign the tripartite agreement with NTCA but babus and politicians in the state have been holding out fearing increased accountability and responsibility will make them more answerable for their actions. The agreement makes it mandatory for each tiger reserve to ensure compliance with wildlife laws and holds the field director responsible for any lapses. At the same time it also ensures direct and timely flow of funds to the reserves bypassingred tape ridden state govts. The agreement has already been signed by all other states with tiger reserves and with MP refusing to come on board it wouldnt be surprising if the state continues to be the leader tiger killings.
Centre proposes strengthening of wildlife laws
To curb increasing incidents of wildlife killing across the country and let law act as a deterrent, Minister MOEF has proposed punishments under Wildlife Protection Act at par with FEMA, the dreaded Foreign Exchange Management Act. The draft amendments are supposed to be circulated to States soon, report The Hindu. Recent cases of dreaded poachers getting easy bail and continuing with the killings once out is making the centre realised the need for strengthening the hands of investigating agencies. Even the most dreaded poacher of all Sansar Chand managed to secure bail despite having confessed to trading in almost 500 tigers skin.
Wildlife protection Act to be more tiger friendly
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