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THE STATE OF THE TIGER
Acknowledgements  
Introduction  
National Update  
International Trade  
MP Tiger State  
Poaching and Trade  
Timber Mafia  
Fish Mafia  
Mining  
  • Mining Industry
  • Diamonds
    		•  
  • Panna Tiger Reserve
    		•  
  • State Government
    		•  
    Indrawati  
    Staff Issues  
    Nationwide  
    Kaziranga  
    Conclusions  
    Mining - Mining Industry Threatens Tigers


    The indiscriminate destruction of tiger habitat in and around protected areas not only exacerbates the threat to tigers, but has disastrous affects on other wildlife, the forests, the water table, and the people who depend on them. The loss of much of this habitat is often due to industrial activities.

    According to government records, Madhya Pradesh has "legally" diverted 2264 km2 of forest area between 1982 and September 1997 with 70% of the loss having occurred since 1990. The Forest Survey of India's latest research, reveals that between 1993 and 1995 the actual loss of dense forest cover in Madhya Pradesh was a massive 12,408 km2.

    Valmik Thapar, member of the Indian Board for Wildlife and Steering Committee of Project Tiger has stated "Madhya Pradesh leads in the race between the states for destroying their own natural heritage".

    Fragmentation
    Tiger populations may thrive in core areas of Tiger Reserves, but they are often surrounded by mines, dams, roads, agriculture, plantations, human settlements and livestock. Fragmentation of habitat inevitably leads to increase conflict, and tigers are forced into isolated populations that are more vulnerable to local extinction.

    This in turn impairs the probability of long-term survival as population size and reproductive success are reduced and dispersal patterns of sub-adults are imparied.

    The average tiger population of all protected areas less than 400 sq km in size (80% of protected areas), and are known to hold tigers in India, is less than ten. As fragmentation increases, so does the threat to these populations.


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