08 February 2012 Tiger poaching dropped nearly 60 percent in 2011 as compared to the previous year, though it continues to pose a major threat to the survival of the big cat in the country, a leading NGO said. According to the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), 13 tigers were hunted last year as compared to 30 in 2010 - a decline of 57 percent. The bodies of poached tigers, seized bones and skins were computed to arrive at the figures. Click on date for more details

Rajasthan safe corridor for tigers

See http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/rajasthan-cabinet-clears-safe-corridor-for-tigers/946090.html

Rajasthan cabinet today gave approval to a proposal for developing Rajiv Gandhi Biosphere reserve to provide safe corridor for wildlife and conservation of tigers in the state. It was approved at a meeting of the cabinet chaired by chief minister Ashok Gehlot here and the proposal will be forwarded to the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment for its clearance, an official said. The reserve would cover forest blocks, water bodies, sanctuaries, national park including Ramsagar sanctuary and waterbody, Kesarbagh sanctuary, Ranthambore national park, Chambal sanctuary, Bhensroadgarh sanctuary, Mukandara hills, Rajasthan portion of national Chambal sanctuary among others through a corridor. "The objective behind development of the biosphere reserve is to create a balanced relation between nature and human beings and the decision of the cabinet would pave way for safe passage of wildlife in national parks and sanctuaries of the state besides helping tiger protection," the official added. The cabinet also gave nod to a proposal for providing customised package for setting up of wind electric generator manufacturing units by two companies. In the meeting, proposals of formation of Rajasthan Ex-servicemen Corporation (RESCO) limited, reconstitution of the state planning board and publication of last notification for Mukandara Hills National Park under the provisions of Wild Life (protection) Act-1972 were also given approval. RESCO will be a public enterprise under the absolute ownership of the state government and help more than 2 lakh ex-servicemen and their dependents in many ways.