Bhubaneswar: With the All India Tiger Estimation Report, 2014 reporting a fall in big cat population in Odisha, the state government Wednesday said it will examine the matter and take up the issue with the Centre.
According to the report, Odisha presently has only 28 tigers as compared to 32 in 2010 and 45 in 2006.
The exact status of tiger population in Similipal and Satkosia was not known since the detailed report was yet to be published, said Chief Wildlife Warden S S Srivastava adding he was optimistic about presence of about 40 tigers in Similipal alone.
In 2010, the tiger population in Similipal was recorded at 23, while it was eight in Satkosia.
"I doubt something is missing in-between. The tiger population in Odisha should be more than 28. We will take up the matter with the authorities concerned," Srivastav told reporters here.
"The dwindling number of the big cats in Odisha clearly points at indifference of the state government to secure tiger habitats," alleged senior Congress leader and former minister Niranjan Patnaik.
