It's a cliched thought, but soon you might have only memories, and that if you were so lucky, photographs and video clips to remember the tiger by. For, according to the latest census conducted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, there has been a 60 percent drop in the tiger population across four states. The reasons? Poaching and loss of habitat.
Even as tiger conservation experts cry themselves hoarse about the seriousness of the situation, there are now only 95 tigers in Maharashtra, 30 in Rajasthan, 265 in Madhya Pradesh and 25 in Chhattisgarh.
Endangered is too mild a word to use anymore on India's national animal.
Have you ever seen a tiger? Do you have a thrilling first-hand account to share of its majesty in the jungle? Tell us your memories.
And, if you have a picture taken by you of the awesome animal as it went past your vehicle, send them to us at citizen.reporter@rediffmail.com.
Photograph: Noah Seelam/AFP/Getty Images
Also read:
- 'It is the end of the road for the Indian tiger'
- 'There is more concern for the tiger outside India!'
- 'If we can't protect our national animal then what can we protect?'
More from rediff