All not well with our parks, says PM in tiger home

‘‘The PM was extremely concerned by reports of poaching and disappearance of tigers in various sanctuaries. He wanted the field directors to apprise him of the problems that led to the catastrophe,’’ sources said.

The Sunday Express had first reported on the vanishing tigers of Sariska reserve followed by a series of reports in The Indian Express from various sanctuaries, including Ranthambhore, on the alarming dip in numbers.

Sariska and Ranthambhore were among the PM’s prime concerns, sources said, while the management of the Kaziranga National Park impressed him.

‘‘The tiger population in Kaziranga has gone up to 86 because of a unique modal of eco-development followed there. It may now be declared a tiger reserve by the end of this year,’’ sources said.

While Rajasthan forest officials struggled to explain the dipping tiger numbers, CM Vasundhara Raje demanded more money for maintaining the state’s sanctuaries.

Official sources said the CM asked the Centre for a Rs 119-crore package for Sariska and Ranthambhore. ‘‘We have also asked for another Rs 109 crore for Keoladeo National Park,’’ sources said.

Besides more money, people-participation in preserving the endangered animal and better management of parks dominated the two-hour meet here in which presentations were made by Rajasthan, Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh.

‘‘Forest officials were of the opinion that tigers can’t be preserved till there is better participation of villagers within the precincts of sanctuaries. We have to evolve a method to ensure their participation in the tiger projects,’’ they said.