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India's Tigers: 88 Deaths Unexplained, Poaching Fears Rise
27 Apr
Summary
- 88 tiger deaths recorded between 2020-2021 lack cause and investigation.
- Tiger parts recovered in some cases point to suspected poaching.
- NTCA directive to states for pending reports by January 27, 2026.
A troubling revelation indicates that 88 tiger deaths recorded in India between 2020 and 2021 are currently unresolved. These critical cases, spanning numerous major tiger reserves, lack confirmed causes and completed investigations, raising significant concerns about wildlife monitoring efficacy.
Many of these unexplained deaths are categorized as "US" (Under Scrutiny/Unnatural), with the cause of death column often left blank. In several instances, the recovery of tiger parts, designated as "seizures," strongly suggests poaching activities, yet legal closure remains elusive.
States like Madhya Pradesh, which harbors the largest tiger population, account for a substantial number of these pending cases. Similar issues are reported from Assam's Kaziranga National Park and Karnataka's Nagarhole, where unresolved deaths, including suspected poaching, persist despite high protection levels.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) issued a directive in January 2026, requiring states to submit all outstanding reports by January 27, 2026. Activists express alarm, viewing this move not as closure but as a potential "burial" of evidence, which could undermine efforts to combat wildlife crime and fix responsibility.
