Corbet lost 15 tigers in last four years.

United News of India New Delhi, March 3: The year 2009 has been very bad for tigers in their world famous habitat, the Corbet Tiger Reserve, with six of the big cats dying or being killed, the Lok Sabha was informed today. The new year has also reported two deaths so far. Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh told the Lok Sabha in a written reply that 2007 had also seen five deaths of tigers due to poaching or natural causes. In 2008, two tigers were killed. Thus a total 15 tigers died in the Corbet National Park in the last four years. He said poaching of other animals in the national park like elephants and spotted deer and seizure of their body parts had also been reported. Replying to a question on conservation of Asiatic lions, the Minister said the Gujarat Government had submitted a project 'A Plan for consolidating long-term conservation of Asiatic lions in the greater Gir region' which demands Rs 236.17 crore with the Central Government share being 90 per cent. He said the Ministry had requested the Planning Commission to provide additional funds under a centrally sponsored scheme 'Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat' for the Gujarat proposal. Mr Ramesh said the state was provided Rs 32 lakh and Rs 92.08 lakh in 2008-09 and 2009-10 respectively for lion conservation. Source: http://www.centralchronicle.com/viewnews.asp?articleID=28544