NEW DELHI, Aug. 14 -- India's success in tiger relocation in Sariska (Rajasthan) and Panna (Madhya Pradesh) tiger reserves has got global recognition after Russia and Cambodia asked for help from Indian wildlife scientists for similar relocation programmes in their countries. and both the countries want to kick start breeding of tigers in forests to have a viable population.
Russia has selected SikhoteAlin reserve under its Siberian Tiger Project and Cambodia Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary as possible zones for tiger relocation under the World Bank supported Global Tiger Initiative (GTI), which aims to double the present world tiger population (of about 3,000) by 2022.
For that, the GTI needs to develop viable tiger habitats in 13 tiger nations and India's experience in scientifically managing tiger population since 1970s has come handy.
"Our team of scientists will be visiting Russia in midSeptember to share its experience on tiger relocation," said a senior environment ministry official. "India and Russia have already signed a pact on cooperation in the area of wildlife"
WII scientists already had conducted one round of consultations with forest officials of Cambodia for a relocation and tiger monitoring programme.
The officials did not rule out that China - having only 50 tigers in wild - may be the next seeking India's help.
Published by HT Syndication with permission from Yahoo HT.

