The poisoning to death of a relocated tiger in Rajasthan's Sariska reserve has dealt a body blow to efforts being made to save the endangered animal.
The male tiger poisoned was one of the five shifted to Sariska in 2008. As part of the project, two males and three females had been brought in from Ranthambore.
"Reports have come that it's a case of poisoning through insecticides commonly available and used in agricultural practices. It appears to be a case of revenge killing where somebody's cattle may have been lifted (by tigers)," said Y.K. Sahu, DFO, Sariska reserve.
The reserve also faces problems because of poaching and unavailability of skilled staff. "There's an acute shortage of protection staff. This area is 881 sq km and 210 personnel are involved in its protection," said Sahu.
To reduce man-animal conflict, the government had proposed to relocate the villagers but they are in no mood to leave.
Tigers in Sariska are also under threat from illegal mining. Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh had written to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot about this, copies of which are with Headlines Today. But no action has been taken so far.
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