Guwahati: Manas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has come under scrutiny following the recent poaching of a rare Indochinese tiger within its premises.
The incident has sparked outrage among wildlife conservationists, with RTI activist and environmentalist Dilip Nath leading the criticism against the administration’s failure to prevent such a crime.
Nath questioned the efficiency of the park’s security measures and the role of the Forest Department in protecting wildlife. He pointed out that despite the presence of strict security protocols and the allocation of crores of rupees for wildlife protection, such incidents continue to occur. “If a poaching gang can enter a protected area, hunt a tiger, and smuggle its body parts without being caught in time, it is a direct failure of the park’s security system,” Nath said.
The poaching of an Indochinese tiger is particularly alarming, as the species is already facing severe threats due to habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade. The incident exposes the vulnerability of the park’s ecosystem and raises questions about the efficiency of anti-poaching measures in place.
The Forest Department has been accused of incompetence in ensuring wildlife safety, with Nath remarking, “Failing to protect an endangered tiger but taking credit for recovering a few of its teeth from poachers is not an achievement. It is a disgrace.”
Wildlife experts have echoed similar concerns, stating that poaching networks remain active due to gaps in surveillance and enforcement. They argue that without stricter penalties and more proactive policing, such incidents will continue to occur. Following the arrests of four poachers, forest officials have launched an investigation to track the entire network involved in the poaching operation ¹.
The demand for tiger parts, particularly teeth, bones, and skins, is driven by illegal markets in some Asian countries, where they are used for traditional medicine and luxury goods. This has made tigers a prime target for poachers, despite international efforts to curb the trade. Conservationists have called for increased funding for technology-driven surveillance, such as drone monitoring and real-time camera tracking, to ensure better protection for endangered species.
India is home to more than 70% of the world’s wild tigers, but poaching remains a persistent threat. Despite conservation efforts like Project Tiger, illegal hunting continues to challenge wildlife authorities. Manas National Park has had a troubled history with poaching, and experts believe that a multi-pronged approach involving better intelligence networks, stronger anti-poaching laws, and community engagement is essential for long-term protection.
The killing of a rare Indochinese tiger in Manas National Park is a tragic reminder of the ongoing battle against wildlife crime. While the arrest of the poachers is a step in the right direction, activists like Dilip Nath stress that the real focus should be on preventing such incidents rather than reacting to them after the damage is done.
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