SIT Report on Tigers Deaths in MP

• 07 Aug 2024

Source: IE

Why in News?

Recently, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) report on the deaths of 43 tigers in Madhya Pradesh in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and Shahdol Forest Circle between 2021 and 2023 has raised significant concerns regarding the effectiveness of wildlife protection measures in India.

• The report highlights serious lapses in investigations, insufficient evidence collection, and a lack of accountability among officials responsible for tiger conservation.

Tiger Mortalities in India:

• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) reported a rising trend in tiger deaths over recent years, with totals of 96 in 2019, 106 in 2020, 127 in 2021, 121 in 2022, and peaking at 178 in 2023, marking the highest number of fatalities since 2012.
• A total of 628 tigers died in India between 2019 and 2024.
• The number of tigers in India stood at 3,682, around 75% of the global wild tiger population, in 2022.
• India launched Project Tiger in 1973, to promote tiger conservation.
• Currently, India has 55 tiger reserves covering more than 78,735 square km, nearly 2.4% of the country's geographical area, of tiger habitat.

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR)

• It is located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh, within the Vindhya hills.
• The park consists of 3 distinct areas: 'Bandhavgarh National Park', 'Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary' (the "Core Area") and the adjoining notified "Buffer Area" spread across the districts of Umaria, Shahdol and Katni.
• It was declared a national park in 1968 and a tiger reserve in 1993 under the Project Tiger Network, alongside the Panpatha Sanctuary.
• Wildlife species found here include Tiger, Leopard, Dhole (Indian Wild Dog), Bengal or Indian Fox, Sloth Bear, Smooth-coated Otter, Indian Rock Python, Rusty Spotted Cat, Fishing Cat, Gaur, and Wild Elephant.
• BTR is renowned for its high density of Royal Bengal Tigers, the highest in India and the world.

What are the Key Findings of the SIT Report?

• Inadequate Investigations: Insufficient probing into at least 10 cases of tiger deaths, with only two arrests for unnatural deaths. Authorities showed disinterest, leading to many missing body parts.
• Absence of Vital Evidence: Lacking mobile forensics and electric trip data in electrocution cases, and neglecting land ownership investigations relevant to poaching.
• Misclassification of Death Causes: Tendency to attribute deaths to infighting without proper investigation, potentially hiding poaching incidents.
• Post-Mortem Issues: Inadequate post-mortem procedures, with poor sample collection and documentation.
• Negligence in Treatment: Documented medical negligence, including failure to identify foreign objects during treatment, causing a tigress's death.

Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the SC - Recommendations for Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) (2024)

• High Traffic Impact: Significant vehicular traffic from temple pilgrims is degrading habitats and increasing pollution.
  • Recommendation: Ban private vehicle entry by March 2025, and introduce electric shuttle buses. Explore tramways, elevated roads, or ropeways based on feasibility studies.
• Special Tiger Protection Force: Establish a force to address man-animal conflicts and poaching risks due to the growing tiger population and nearby villages.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year’s Questions (PYQs)

Prelims

Q. Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”? (2020)

(a) Corbett
(b) Ranthambore
(c) Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam
(d) Sundarbans

Ans: (c)

Q. From the ecological point of view, which one of the following assumes importance in being a good link between the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats? (2017)

(a) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
(b) Nallamala Forest
(c) Nagarhole National Park
(d) Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve

Ans: (a)

Q. Consider the following protected areas: (2012)

1. Bandipur
2. Bhitarkanika
3. Manas
4. Sunderbans

Which of the above are declared Tiger Reserves?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (b)