While India takes pride in the conservation of tigers and saving the food chain of the world, Madhya Pradesh has lost 29 felines this year. Madhya Pradesh is India's top state with the largest population of tigers. As per the Madhya Pradesh Government, India has 3,682 tigers, constituting 75 percent of the global tiger population. The tiger population in Madhya Pradesh has surged from 526 to an impressive 785, marking the highest in the country. Over the past 4-5 years, the state has witnessed an increase of 259 tigers, surpassing the entire tiger population of 257 recorded in 2010. However, National Tiger Conservation Authority suggests that the highest number of tiger deaths also took place in Madhya Pradesh, especially in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve area.
To be precise, at least nine out of 25 tigers died in Bandhavgarh, which has the highest population of tigers. Overall, reports suggest that MP lost 25 tigers. Now, the question arises why MP despite being a heaven for tigers lose their life? Below is what we know so far-
As per reports, MP authorities suggest that most fatalities are due to territorial fights as area is falling short of tigers' growing numbers. Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (wildlife) was also quoted expressing that there is a need to review tiger management methods as tiger density is increasing with expansion of cities. Wildlife activist Ajay Dubey was quoted by a news portal saying, "For last 14 years, Madhya Pradesh has remained top in country in tiger deaths. Worse, conviction rate of poachers is poor. Moreover, accountability of forest officials is not fixed in tiger mortality case.
It is pertinent to mention here that Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve has ruled out poaching in the area. "Bandhavgarh has the highest tiger density. Hence the territorial fights between them takes place, which sometimes prove fatal. But there is no poaching incident," an official was quoted as saying.