NTCA pulls up forest staff over killing of tiger for sorcery

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has pulled up forest department officials for their "callous attitude" and failing to keep an eye on a tiger killed last year for 'sorcery'.
In a letter to chief wildlife warden, the NTCA has sought a detailed report on the matter.
It is unfortunate that a radio-collared tiger, which was to be intensively monitored, was poached for witchcraft at the Satpura Tiger Reserve, it said.
"The incident reflects callous attitude of frontline staff towards tiger conservation which is further visible in non-compliance of this Authority's Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on the subject," said the letter, a copy of which was received in response to an RTI query filed by wildlife activist Ajay Dubey.

According to forest officials, the tiger was killed in August last year for witchcraft by a government school teacher working in Chhindwara and others under the influence of a sorcerer, who promised them fast money by performing rituals sitting on a tiger skin. They then allegedly killed the big cat.
The case is being probed by a special task force of Madhya Pradesh forest department. They had in October seized the skin of the big cat. The NTCA had sought a report from the state government on the incident last year but was not satisfied with it. So, it has now sought a detailed report from the state's forest department.

"The unfortunate incident shows forest officials' apathy towards conservation of tiger. We have been demanding setting up of a special tiger protection force to check poaching but the state government is yet to take any step. This matter needs to be investigated and culprits be swiftly punished," said Dubey.

Reinforcing its commitment, Discovery has also put into
development a new documentary on tigers from Academy award nominated producers Orlando von Einsiedel's Grain Media which will be aired globally in 2018.
On the other hand, WWF's efforts include conservation of additional tiger sites, across all 13 tiger range countries, with rigorous scientific analysis and monitoring of tigers and their prey, as well as advocating for and raising awareness of tiger conservation and eliminating illegal wildlife trade around the world.

"Tiger populations are rising for the first time in a century. These numbers reflect the extraordinary commitment of regional leaders and leading philanthropists to double the population of tigers in the wild.
"We need even more of a movement to accomplish these goals. Discovery's devotion to conservation and impressive reach can only inspire others to join the cause," said Carter Roberts, president and CEO of World Wildlife Fund (WWF).