Question raised in Lok Sabha on Population of Tigers, 26/07/2016. Three major species of big cats are found in India, namely, tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), leopard (Panthera pardus) and Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica). As per the assessment of the Status of Tigers, Co-predators and Prey, 2014 using the refined methodology, the tiger number has shown 30% increase countrywide with an estimated number of 2226 (range 1945-2491) as compared to 2010 estimation of 1706 (range 1520-1909 tigers).

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Population of wild animals, 25/07/2016. Population of tigers in tiger reserves, inter alia, including that for Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, as per Status of Tigers, Co-predators and Prey in India, 2014 is at Annexure-I. Tiger mortality, as reported by States, during last year and current year, is at Annexure-II. The Government of India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority has taken a number of initiatives for conservation and protection of tiger and other wild animals. The same are at Annexure-III.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Population of tigers, 25/07/2016. The details of tiger population in the country for the years 2010 and 2014 are at Annexure-I. Several milestone initiatives have been taken by the Government of India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority for protection and conservation of tigers and other wild animals, and the same are at Annexure-II.

Question raised in Rajya Sabha on Poaching of tigers, 25/07/2016. The assessment of the status of tigers, co-predators and their prey 2014 using the refined methodology has shown a countrywide 30% increase in tiger numbers with an estimated number of 2226 (range 1945-2491) as compared to 2010 estimation of 1706 (range 1520-1909 tigers). The details of tiger estimation pertaining to tiger landscapes in the country for the years 2010 and 2014 are at Annexure-I.

Question raised in Lok Sabha on Tiger Reserves, 19/07/2016. As on date, there are 49 tiger reserves in the country and their details, are at Annexure-I. Funding assistance is given to all the tiger States / tiger reserves under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger based on their Annual Plan of Operations. So far, funds have been released to 18 tiger reserves during the current financial year 2016-17 and others are in progress.