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International Tiger Day – WWF warns against tiger snares; asks for stringent monitoring of tiger reserves

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International Tiger Day

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Rs 12000 crore spent on tiger conservation in India but NTCA has little to show for results as challenge of poaching continues

By Deepti Jain

On the seventh International Tiger day, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is encouraging the tiger-range countries to strengthen their anti-poaching policies and take stringent actions on a crisis that is threatening wildlife across the Asian continent, especially the world’s remaining wild tigers, which presently number around 3,900 – a significant population of which is found in India.

The National Tiger Conservation Authority of India (NTCA) till today has spent a whopping Rs 12,000 crore on tiger conservation, but has failed to curb the poaching menace of the endangered striped beasts. Though NTCA has rolled out several guidelines and protocols to save tigers, the challenge continues to lie in their implementation as these are often ignored even by authorities concerned.

Take the recent case of Uttarakhand where the NTCA has directed the state government to maintain a beat level ID file of individual tigers, incorporating all information including the kill data, photograph and pug marks. But officials working in Corbett National Park – India’s oldest tiger reserve – are yet to even start work on this instruction. Reportedly, on March 14, 2016, the Uttrakhand police seized five tiger carcasses from Haridwar. An analysis of the skin pattern of the animal by the Wildlife Institute of India revealed that four of the hides were tigers from Corbett.

Illegal trade of tiger body parts, especially the skin, bones and nails, is a lucrative business around the world. According to a report by the New Indian Express, the illicit wildlife trade has now reached an estimated worth of USD 20 billion annually – making this business the world’s fourth largest illegal activity in terms of its monetary value, after narcotics, human trafficking and counterfeit goods.

“Snares are dangerous, insidious and quickly becoming a major contributor to the wave of extinction that is spreading throughout Southeast Asia – and tigers are being swept up in this crisis. All efforts to recover wild tigers are now imperiled by snaring on a massive scale. We cannot over emphasize the need for strong government commitment and investment in rangers who are on the frontline of conservation, clearing snares and apprehending those who set them,” Mike Baltzer, leader of WWF Tigers Alive, said in an appeal.

According to WWF, it is impossible to know how many snares are being set up every day and threatening wildlife in critical habitats. “Hundreds of thousands of deadly snares are removed by rangers from Asia’s protected areas annually,” claims Rohit Singh, wildlife law enforcement expert at WWF.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1501328283464{border-top-width: 10px !important;border-right-width: 10px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;background-color: #e0e0e0 !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}”]The dividends that we reap from tigers

At present, India is home to 49 tiger reserves each of which is frequented by wildlife lovers and results in massive monetary gains for the respective state’s tourism industry. Karnataka has the largest number of tigers in the country (408) while the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam reserve is the largest in terms of area (3,568 sq km). When it comes to the largest density of tigers in protected areas, Kaziranga National Park in Assam leads the list with 106 tigers.

Interestingly, a study conducted by Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) has revealed that saving one tiger yields a capital benefit of about Rs 260 crore. The economic benefits from six tiger reserves namely – Corbett Tiger Reserve, Kaziranga, Periyar Reserve, Ranthambore and the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve analysed were found to be at Rs 1.5 lakh crore per year.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1501328347328{border-top-width: 10px !important;border-right-width: 10px !important;border-bottom-width: 10px !important;border-left-width: 10px !important;padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;background-color: #e0e0e0 !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}”]Things aren’t too rosy for the tiger on foreign land too

Tiger SnareIn a global perspective, WWF believes that within the tropical rain forest heritage of Sumatra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, snare traps are estimated to have doubled between 2006 and 2014, suggesting a higher number of poachers in the area.

“Yet, many of such critical habitats lack adequate resources for protection. In Rimbang Baling, one of several protected areas in Sumatra, only 26 rangers patrol over 1,400 square kilometres, an area equivalent to nearly twice the size of New York City,” WWF pointed out.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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