Prime Minister of India - Dr. Manmohan Singh

PM writes to Rajasthan CM - calls for immediate action to save the Tiger

The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said the reported disappearance of tigers from Sariska is a matter of great distress and concern. The Prime Minister has written to the Rajasthan Chief Minister seeking immediate remedial action to protect the tiger and its habitat and prevent any further deterioration in the situation at Sariska.

The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that perhaps "since the launching of Project Tiger , the current situation presents the biggest crisis in the management of our wild life." The Prime Minister said that while the matter is being taken up with the Ministry of Environment and Forests he suggests some immediate steps that the state government may consider.

The suggestions based on expert opinion and reports are :

1) Instituting a high level independent inquiry with outside experts to identify the causes and fix responsibility for the disappearance of tigers from Sariska.

2) The immediate stoppage of plying of diesel vehicles within the parks in Rajasthan.

3) The filling up of all vacant posts in the Parks within the next three months.

4) The preparation of a time schedule for development of fuel. Fodder and other necessities of the villagers in the area out side the parks.

5) Tightening controls for stopping cattle grazing inside the Parks and developing alternate grazing areas.

6) Working out arrangements with the Ganesha Temple authorities in Sariska to control and regulate the number of pilgrims and complete stoppage of cooking inside the park.

7) Carrying out raids, on a campaign basis, in the vicinity of townships near the parks to control sale and purchase of bush meat and identify suppliers.

8) Construction of an alternative route for the canal that cuts through the Sariska Park within the next year.

The Prime Minister has also called for a system of post mortem and enquiry for every death of a tiger in a national park or reserve and an annual independent audit by a group of outside experts.