CAG spills beans over tiger conservation in MP

The auditor points out only one tiger died due to poaching, 19 died in territorial fight

Poor planning and inadequate management for wildlife not only claimed several tigers but also other animals like great Indian bustard (Son chiriya), sloth bear, chitals and wild dogs.

Pointing out death of tigers during the period 2009-2014, the CAG report has said, “Reasons for death of tigers such as disease, poaching, poisoning and electrocution which were controllable indicate weakness in preventive measures of the department,” the report said.

It further said, “Of the 69 cases of tiger death 18 cases or 26% pertains to Bandhavgarh tiger reserve. The range of Tala in Bandhavgarh reserve having an area of 109.74 sq km housed 34 tigers ie 3.23 sq km available for each tiger though an area of 10 sq km was estimated for each tiger as per NTCA guidelines.

“Thus there was insufficient space for tigers. This could be reason for territorial fights, cannibalism and resulting in dispersal in adjoining villages,” CAG said. Of the total 69 tiger death, 55cases were test checked by CAG. 

The reason of mortalities were disease (17), poaching (1), territorial fight (19), poisoning (3), electrocution (7), accident (4), cannibalism (8), natural death (3) and other (7), CAG said.

State government however explained to CAG in “exit conference” that death of tigers was due to “territorial conflicts among them” and measures were being taken. Also “translocation” was being “explored.”

Pointing out at activities inside sanctuaries and core areas of Tiger Reserves, CAG said, “A petrol pump was operational in core area of tiger reserve in the name of RO, Kisli. Thus the wild life in core or critical tiger habitat area was placed at risk…Action for relocation of petrol pump was, however, not initiated by the management of the Kanha tiger reserve as of November 2014.”

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation, the CAG pointed out, run a Jungle Camp in Ratapani sanctuary and two rest houses in Kuno wildlife sanctuary run by forest department on commercial basis as of November 2014.

“Approval of the National Board for Wildlife for operation of these commercial facilities inside the sanctuaries could not be shown,” the CAG pointed out further, "The location of these tourist facilities and staff colonies reduces the availability of inviolate space for wildlife.” However the government told CAG that the facilities were established earlier based on necessity.