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Fact Sheet: Tigers


WWF Welcomes Indian Paraliment Appeal For Tiger Conservation

tiger August 7th, 1997

Gland, Switzerland -- The Indian Parliament's urgent appeal for the conservation of the tiger is a sign of hope for the survival of the large cat and should be responded to with energetic actions, WWF-World Wide Fund For Nature said today. The appeal to the Indian Prime Minister was made on the eve of the 50th anniversary of India's independence

"WWF is delighted with this initiative and wholeheartedly supports the sentiments expressed by the elected representatives of the people of India," said Dr. Christopher Hails, Programme Director at WWF International. "For too long we have felt there has not been sufficient political drive to support the conservation of the tiger and its habitat, and we hope the Indian Prime Minister will match this important move with equally important actions."

The "Tiger Appeal", signed by 320 Members of Parliament (including two former Prime Ministers) was delivered to Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral on 5 August 1997 after being signed during the monsoon session of Parliament on 29 and 30 July. It says:

"The tiger is the greatest symbol of the natural heritage, not just in India, but in the world. We urgently appeal to you to initiate new and immediate reforms in the mechanisms of administration, funding and enforcement in order that the tiger and its habitat can be saved across the length and breadth of the country.

"Prime Minister, the future of the tiger lies in your hands. Its extinction will herald a downward spiral of ecological decay which can only escalate the misery of millions. There is not a moment to lose. We ask you to please demonstrate your concern and take action now."

The appeal, said Dr. Hails, "accurately identifies the three most important areas for change --administration, funding and enforcement-- to ensure that the concerned agencies in India can speedily be provided with the necessary funds and authority to conduct their job effectively."

With about 2,500 to 3,750 individuals, India is home to more than half of the world's remaining wild tigers. WWF became involved with tiger conservation starting in the 1960's, and since the inception of India's Project Tiger in the early 1970's it provided around US$1 million to the project. But a new threat to the tiger emerged in the early 1990's in the form of poaching for, and illegal trade in, tiger parts. Simultaneously, the cat's habitat and prey base --its source of nutrition-- are being subjected to mounting demographic pressures.

"The Parliamentarians' intervention is a significant step, for without active political interest and commitment, conservation of wildlife and of the tiger in particular would be difficult, if not impossible, in a large democracy like India," said Dr. Hails. "We would be pleased to enter into discussions to decide how best we can support new initiatives which emerge from this appeal."

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For more information, please contact Shekhar Nambiar at WWF-India, tel. +91 11 469 3744, or Javier Arreaza Miranda at WWF International, tel. +41 22 364 9550.