Home / Environment / Tiger Death Data Mismatch Shocks High Court
Tiger Death Data Mismatch Shocks High Court
3 Oct
Summary
- 20 tiger deaths missing from NTCA database, 4 from state records.
- Discrepancy between State records and NTCA portal highlighted.
- Court orders NTCA to reply on tiger mortality data discrepancies.
Discrepancies between Maharashtra's official tiger death records and the National Tiger Conservation Authority's (NTCA) mortality database have been brought to light before the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court. An amicus curiae's rejoinder, based on RTI information, revealed that 20 tiger deaths recorded by the state between 2021 and January 2026 are not present in the NTCA's database. Conversely, four deaths listed on the national portal are missing from state records.
The amicus curiae highlighted that the state's records show 184 tiger deaths during the period, contrasting with 167 entries on the NTCA portal. The missing state entries encompass deaths from natural causes, suspected poaching, hunting traps, electrocution, and unknown reasons. Six deaths of tigers in state custody, including those at rescue and treatment facilities, were also absent from the NTCA portal.
Citing Section 38-O of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which mandates NTCA to maintain a centralized tiger mortality database, the amicus argued for the importance of accurate reporting. The court has directed the NTCA to file a written response addressing these contentions within three weeks. The amicus further seeks mandatory 24-hour reporting of all tiger deaths to the NTCA for a unified, public database.
As of May 31, 2026, the state's RTI response indicated 10 deaths, but the NTCA portal later showed 26 deaths in Maharashtra as of the rejoinder's filing date. This ongoing issue underscores the need for a transparent and unified system for monitoring tiger mortality across the country.
