Mayurbhanj district, Orissa:
The Simlipal Tiger Reserve in Orissa's Mayurbhanj district and now a UNESCO World Heritage site is under grave threat following rampant poaching and tree-felling in the core area.
Tell-tale pictures of armed poachers, distribution of the meat of a pregnant sambar killed allegedly inside the Simlipal Tiger Reserve - these are shocking pictures that were taken last month by a wildlife activist Bhanumitra Acharya.
"Anytime you go you get to see 200 to 400 hunters inside the forest. It's free for all. There is no restriction nor prohibition anywhere," said Bhanumitra Acharya, Wildlife Researcher & Activist, Simlipal.
Local people say forest officials have fled their posts after a major Maoist attack on March 28. With no one to guard, illegal tree-felling in Simlipal has also multiplied. And with the number of tigers down to 61, from 101 in 2005, tiger lovers have little hope left.
"I am really very concerned that the tiger population can never survive in Simlipal if this situation continues," said Wildlife Expert, Biswajit Mohanty.
But the state forest department refutes all allegations.
"The allegation that there is rampant poaching and illegal felling of trees is not correct. After the Maoist attack, initially there was a little bit of fear but now our staff is there in position in all the places," said U N Behera, Commissioner & Secretary, Forest & Environment, Government of Orissa.
Wildlife lovers feel time is running out and what Simlipal badly needs now is quick action, rather than a debate on who's right and who's not.