One tiger killed by poachers this year till November: Govt

New Delhi: A solitary tiger fell prey to poaching out of a total of 56 of the big cats that died in the country this year till November, the government Friday said.

"Yes sir. 56 tigers died during the said period (upto November 21, 2015)," Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

He said that only one confirmed case of poaching of a tiger using snares or traps was reported in Madhya Pradesh.

The minister said that the government through the National Tiger Conservation Authority/Project Tiger has taken a number of steps for the protection of the big cat and other wildlife species which includes efforts to prevent poaching and other illegal acts.

Further, the House was told, the government is exploring the use of drones as part of measures to protect tigers.

"Yes Sir. The use of drones has been considered by the government and pilot tested in Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.

"Need-based use is being done by other tiger reserves also," Javadekar said in reply to another question.

According to figures, of the 56 tiger deaths, 12 were reported outside a tiger reserve while the rest occurred inside a tiger reserve.