Bhubaneswar: A total of six Royal Bengal Tigers and 49 leopards have died in the state during the last decade between 2012-13 to 2021-22, informed Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Pradip Amat.
In a written reply to a question from Jeypore MLA Taraprasad Bahinipati, Amat said that out of the six big cats and 49 leopards that died in the last decade, three of the big cats and 26 of the leopards were killed by poachers.
He informed that as per the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s (NTCA’s) last survey in 2018, Odisha forests were home to 28 Royal Bengal Tigers and 760 leopards.
Informing about the steps taken for the protection of the tigers, Amat said the state government has set up two projects on tigers and two anti-poaching camps.
Special squads have been deployed in the forests while foot patrolling is being conducted, he said.
Besides, meadows developed in the forests and steps are being taken to prevent forest fires to increase the tiger population in the state, added Amat.
