New Delhi: There are an estimated 1,411 tigers across the country with Madhya Pradesh accounting for a highest of 300 big cats, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh told the Lok Sabha today.
"As per the findings of the recent All India tiger estimation in 2008 using refined methodology, the total country-level population of tigers is 1,411 (mid-value); the lower and upper limits being 1,165 and 1,657 respectively," he said in a written reply.
According to state-wise details of the tiger population, Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of tigers at 300 followed by Karnataka (290), Uttarakhand (178), Uttar Pradesh (109) and Maharashtra (103).
Jharkhand and Sunderbans region in West Bengal were not assessed for tiger population.
The findings are based on spatial occupancy of tigers and sampling such forests using camera traps in a statistical framework, which are not comparable to the earlier total count using pugmarks, Ramesh said.
The findings indicate a poor status of tiger population in places outside tiger reserves and protected areas.
As many as 15 tigers were killed by poachers till November 11 this year, Ramesh said.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 15:37