Question : Poaching of Tigers

(a) whether it is a fact that about 55 tigers have died across the country upto 21 November, 2015 as per records of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and TRAFFIC India, the wildlife trade monitoring programme;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether many of the tigers have died after being caught in snares or traps laid by poachers;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government to prevent poaching and to curb such illegal acts; and
(e) whether the Government is considering the use of drones to patrol the natural habitats of tigers and other endangered species to prevent poaching and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

(a) & (b)Yes Sir. 56 tigers died during the said period. The details are at Annexure-I. The same is also available in public domain at www.tigernet.nic.in.
(c) & (d)No Sir. Only one confirmed case of tiger poaching using snares or traps has been reported from State of Madhya Pradesh. The Government of India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority / Project Tiger has taken a number of steps for protection of tiger and other wildlife interalia, including steps to prevent poaching, and to curb other illegal acts. The same are at Annexure-II.
(e)Yes Sir. The use of drones has been considered by the Government and pilot-tested in Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh. Need based use is being done by other tiger reserves also.

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