No evidence tiger Jai is dead: Anil Dave

Mumbai: The state government on Tuesday said that there was no proof that Jai, Maharashtra’s biggest and most-famous tiger, is dead.

Seven-year-old Jai, named after superstar Amitabh Bachchan’s character in the film Sholay, has been missing from the Umred Karhandla wildlife sanctuary near Nagpur since April even as a search is on to trace him. There are apprehensions that poachers may have killed him.

“Till now, there is no evidence that the tiger is dead...The tiger could be alive, we have not declared it dead,” environment minister Anil Dave said in the Lok Sabha in reply to a question. Jai’s electronic collar stopped transmitting his location in April.

The big cat became famous in September 2013 when it embarked on an epic 150-km hike from Nagzira-Navegaon tiger reserve to Umred forest after crossing several villages, rivers and the Mumbai-Kolkata national highway in pursuit of a mate.

Noting that there is a lot of demand for tiger parts in Southeast Asia and China, Mr Dave said a close watch is kept to ensure that no trade in tiger parts takes place and at times the help of Interpol is also sought, the minister added.

“Efforts are being made to minimise man-animal and animal-animal conflicts,” he said during Question Hour, adding that people should also be sensitised so that the factors that result in such conflicts are taken care of. He also said that there were limitations and the Interpol is being roped in to plug the loopholes.

Revealing that Rs 233.57 crore has been released under Project Tiger to the tiger range states till November 23 of this fiscal, the minister said: “Adequate funds have been provided to the tiger range states for various activities prescribed under the Tiger Conservation Plan.”