Ominous onset of new year for big cats

THE TIMES OF INDIA
15 January 2010


Manjari Mishra, TNN

LUCKNOW: With three tiger deaths reported from UP and Uttarakhand over the past ten days, new year has started on an ominous note for the big cat. Even as investigations into the cause of death are still under way and officials predictably rule out foul play in at least two cases, experts feel that warning sounded off by the minister for forest and environment Jairam Ramesh could be coming true sooner than expected.

The minister had recently expressed concern at the dwindling number of tigers in India particularly in view of 2010 being declared as the year of tiger by China. At least 60% of tiger parts - bones, nails, claws, skin etc are said to be finding its way into Chinese market and other south Asian countries - Nepal, Singapore, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand the most conspicuous among the group. What spells doom for the desi species is wide margin of profit which makes the deal extremely attractive to both parties. UP with its boarders opening into Nepal has over the years become a thriving conduit for the flourishing racket.