Sir,
It is sad state of affairs that tiger special of cat family has grossly declined in the State. The State had been once a habitat for the national animal. Wild life officials claimed that tigers existed in the lower Shivalik range in pre-historic era and some revealed that they had been spotted in some hilly districts 15-20 years ago. According to Geological Survey of India authorities, the department had got reports of tiger existance in the Jammu division. It is also behind such sighting of the said species in the valley also. In 1990, the Survey Department received a report of tiger sighting in Dera Gali area of hilly district Rajouri. After a proper enquiry it was established that the sighted species was surely a tiger. The second report of sighting tiger came from Kathua district in Billawar area. Such sightings were also reported from the valley but could not be authenticated. There are many instances when people had confused leopards with tigers. There were a good number in the State because of the fact that State of J&K was bestowed with thick forests all along the mountain range. As such the state had a natural habitat for tigers. But it is a matter of concern for us that their habitats have been encroached upon. Huge deforestation has taken place that has created a havoc among the wild kingdom since a long time. It is important to conserve the tiger species as it is entirely different among the cat family. Afforestation drive if taken in hand all along the mountain ranges can prove advantageous for the wild animal kingdom. Tiger had bee n in the J&K is the near past but now conditions are required to be created first for their restoration. Environmentalists opine that tigers can survive anywhere.
Yours etc…
S N Raina
Jammu
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