NEW DELHI, Dec 20 ? The Ministry of Environment and Forest has confirmed that at least nine leopards have died during the last three years in Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam. Though Minister of State for Environment and Forest, Namo Narain Mena, denied that leopards were facing extinction in Assam, the most interesting aspect was the manner of deaths of the leopards.
While four of them died of old age, three others died of poisoning. One fell victim to tea garden labourers, yet another was killed in accident in Chenijan Tea Estate. Only one was killed in fighting.
In reply to a question tabled by Kirip Chaliha, the Minister said that leopards being included in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, enjoyed highest protection and dealing in products of leopards is banned. The State Governments have notified important habitats of leopards as national parks and sanctuaries.
What could be a matter of concern is that population of tigers in Assam along with other North Eastern States are also declining. According to figures made available by the Minister, the population of tigers in Assam has fallen to 354 in 2001-2002 from 458 to in 1997.
In neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, the tiger population has come down to 61 from 180 and in Nagaland and Meghalaya it has shrunk to 23 and 47 respectively. Mizoram is the only State where its population has increased albeit marginally to 28 from 12. All India tiger census is done once every four years and last such census was held in 2001. The next census is due next year.
The Minister said that Assam Government in the fiscal was released Rs 75 lakh under centrally sponsored scheme of Project Tiger. The figure marked an increase from Rs 65.70 lakh the year earlier, he added.
Eight more potential sites have been identified for Project Tiger and project allowance has been provided under the scheme to field staff working in tiger reserves. Besides 100 per cent Central assistance is provided for deploying anti-poaching strike squads in tiger reserves apart from expenditures relating to research, veterinary, monitoring and evaluation, the Minister said specifying the new initiatives taken by the Centre.
Meanwhile, the Minister said that they have no reports of migratory red-legged Falcon being killed by local villagers and sold in market in Tamenglong town. The State Government has informed that migratory birds used to visit Barak Valley near Tamenglong every year.
However, no record of their number and species has been maintained by them, the Minister added. An area of 21 square km near the Barak River has been notified as bird sanctuary, Sri Mena said.