Kolkata: West Bengal Forest Minister Jyotipriyo Mallick on Monday said the central government’s report putting the number of tigers in Sundarbans at 100 does not reflect reality, as the population of big cats there ought to be higher.
Mr Mallick also voiced dissatisfaction over the non-inclusion of the number of tigers in places such as Neora Valley National Park and Buxa Tiger Reserve in the northern part of the state, where camera traps images reveal the presence of big cats.
“The number of tigers in Sundarbands is significantly higher than the figures quoted in the report. It cannot be 100 as mentioned… We describe this report as incomplete, so far West Bengal is concerned,” the minister told PTI.
The report was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a mega event organised in Mysuru to mark the completion of 50 years of Project Tiger on Sunday.
Chief Wildlife Warden Debal Roy, who is currently in Mysuru, also said that the exact number of tigers in Sundarbans will cross the 100 mark.
He, however, refused to specify the exact number of tigers there.
The figure of 100 was arrived at with the use of ‘camera trap per unit’ technology and the real number is bound to be higher, Mr Roy said.
However, the report gives an impression of the substantial rise in the number of tigers in the mangrove delta, he said.
Another forest official, who refused to be named, said the number of tigers in Sundarbans should be at least 107.
