judging by the rapid rate of decline in the tiger population, India will no longer hold the distinction of being home to the largest number of tigers in the world. To make matters worse, the top authority does not show even the slightest concern. In yet another effort to "save the tiger', a high-level three-member team from the Convention on Trade in International Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ( cites ) made a four-day mission to India.

"It is very disappointing,' was what Robert Hepworth, chairman of the cites standing committee, had to say about the minister of environment and forest, T R Baalu, being unable to meet the team. Though the team's visit to India was postponed twice to suit the minister's convenience, he was still unavailable. According to Hepworth, the minister was informed well in advance of their visit, but