Dead tiger recovered from near a stream in Pilibhit, live crocodile from Bijnor

Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh), Aug.13 (ANI): Despite efforts to conserve tigers across the country, forest officials in Plilbhit, Uttar Pradesh, have reported the death of a tiger and its recovery from near a stream.

The dead tiger was found in the Pooranpur area near Pilibhit. This is the fourth tiger death in the last three months.

Raising concerns over the frequent tiger deaths, an official from the environment department, T H Khan, said the investigation is in progress and the body has been sent for post mortem.

"We got the information in the morning that a tiger was found dead in the stream in the Hardoi branch and we have taken out the body of the tiger. The officials are investigating into the matter. The body has also been sent for post-mortem," said Khan.

An official of the district agriculture and forestry office, Manoj Sonker, said that scientific probe should be undertaken and efforts should be made to curb the rising number of tiger deaths.

"At least four tiger deaths have occurred near Pilibhit district in the past few days. It is a matter of concern for the whole country. The provincial government should ask for a scientific research on this issue and till then it is difficult for us to arrive at any conclusion," said Sonker.

India is home to more than half of the world's tigers, with 1,706 living in the wild, compared to 100,000 at the turn of the last century.

Last month, in a move to protect the endangered cats, the Supreme Court of India ordered a ban on tourism in "core zones" of more than 40 of the country's tiger reserves.

The government has for decades been fighting a losing battle to conserve tiger numbers against poaching, which feeds a lucrative cross-border trade in body parts, and the loss of natural habitat.

Meanwhile in another incident, a stray crocodile ventured into agricultural fields in Bijnor district of northern Uttar Pradesh, which created panic among the villagers.

One of the villagers, Balakishan said the farmers found a crocodile in the fields and they had successfully captured it.

"A crocodile was found in the fields. Farmers working in the field saw the crocodile and ran for help. The villagers also saw it and we tried to catch the crocodile," said Balakishan.

Recently reports had surfaced about frequent intrusion of crocodiles into human settlements in search of food.

The forest department is taking adequate measures to tackle the situation. (ANI)