Will double up tiger population by 2022: AP forest chief

GUNTUR

: Stating that forest department is taking stringent measures for the conservation of tigers, principal chief conservator of forests Dr Mohammed Ilyas Rizwi said that they are planning to double up the tiger population in AP forests by 2022. He said that AP has tiger population of 48 and exuded confidence to increase its strength by effective conservation measures.


Addressing a meeting organized in connection with the World Tigers Day on Monday, Dr Rizvi said that it was heartening to note that the tiger population is growing at decent pace in India. He said that it was particularly significant when the tiger count is going down across the world. “The tiger population in combined state of AP had witnessed a jump from 68 to 74. About 48 tigers are living in the forest territory of AP alone,” said Dr Rizvi.

He said that the department was taking all possible measures to protect and conserve the tigers. He said that their field staff were fully alert to tackle the poachers and protect the tigers. “We need to remove the misconception that tigers are cruel animals. They are a big gift to the protection of nature and

ecology

,” said Dr Rizvi. He said that the department is readying a comprehensive action plan to protect the animals living in the forests.

He claimed that

National Tiger Conservation Authority

(NTCA) had given full credit to the state forest department for initiating several measures to protect the tigers. Wild Life chief warden Nalini Mohan has said that they would take up programmes in a big way to create awareness about conservation of wild animals. Senior officials VB Ramana Murthy, AK Jha, Revathi, Srinivas Reddy, Kishan, Suryanarayana, Syamala, Krishnapriya and Sunitha were present.