Worried over the imbalance between male and female tiger ratio in Panna reserve, Madhya Pradesh government has sought permission from the Centre to translocate at least two tigresses from other habitats of big cats in the state.
There are about five adult tigresses and four tigers in the reserve. Of these tigresses, three are able to reproduce. At present, the ratio of male big cats in Panna Tiger Reserve is more (than female), said a letter written by Narendra Kumar, Madhya Pradesh's Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
For every male tiger there is a need for two tigresses, as per biology of the big cats.
There may be cub-killing in the reserve due to the presence of more number of male big cats, the letter said and sought NTCA and Ministry of Environment and Forests permission to allow authorities to translocate two tigresses from other reserves.
If sex ratio of these tiger is not maintained then there are chances of Panna Tiger Reserves (PTR) facing previous problem (when there was no big cats), Kumar said in his letter written on June 18, 2013.
"There is laxity on part of Madhya Pradesh government employees to look after tigers and conservation plan for the big cats. Environment Ministry, NTCA and MP government must take necessary steps on urgent basis in this regard," said Bhopal-based wildlife activist Ajay Dubey, who has filed RTI application to access the letters written by Kumar to NTCA.
In another letter, Kumar has also sought 'free ranging' tigress for Panna reserve as the employees are "tired and facing a lot of problems" in taking care of orphaned tigresses already living in the habitat.
At present, Madhya Pradesh has five orphaned tiger cubs --three in Kanha and two in Bandhavgarh reserves.
Six tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh -- Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Panna, Bori-Satpura, Sanjay Dubri and Pench -- have about 257 big cats. Tiger population in the country was estimated to be 1,706 as per 2010 data.
