31 people have died due to tiger attacks in 2015-16, compared to 34 people in 2014-15.
Over 30 people have died due to attack by tigers in the country in 2015-16, the government said today and asserted that such deaths have shown a "decreasing" trend.
"As per the latest information received from the states, the number of people died due to tiger attack is showing a decreasing trend," Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.
He said while 31 people have died due to tiger attacks in 2015-16, 34 people had died in 2014-15, while the number of deaths due to attack by the big cats were 36 in 2013-14.
"So far as human death due to elephant attacks is concerned, information received from states as well as that provided by the division concerned, does not show a consistent trend," the minister said.
He said the total human death due to elephant attack was 407 in 2013-14, 390 in 2014-15 and 462 in 2015-16.
No proposal has been received from state governments for additional funds for providing safe zones for those animals.
However, funding is provided to states with tiger ranges and tiger reserves under Project Tiger on their demand in the Annual Plan of Operation for various activities, he said.
To another question, he said assessment of the status of tigers, co-predators and their prey in 2014 using the refined methodology has shown estimated number of 2,226 tigers (range 1945-2491) in the country.
"All India tiger Estimation, 2014 has shown a countrywide 30 per cent increase in tiger numbers with an estimated 2,226 (range 1945-2491) as compared to 2010 estimation of 1,706 (range 1520-1909) tigers," Mr Dave said.
Asserting that Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for stringent punishment for hunting of wild animals, he said,
"However, as the scope of protection has changed over the years since the Act has been enacted, a review of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 is being undertaken in the ministry."
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