The lion’s share of the budgetary allocation for wildlife is cornered every year by Project Tiger which receives an annual budgetary allocation of approximately `200 crore. The next species to receive a separate allocation, (undoubtedly much smaller) is Project Elephant which receives around `22 crore in 2012.
The Bengal tigers numbers are down to around 1600 in number and it is listed in the endangered category by the IUCN Red List.
Animal lovers are demanding separate financial allocations for 132 other species of animals and birds which are also on the Critically Endangered list.
Asad Rahmani, director of the Bombay Natural History Society had made a pitch for the Great Indian Bustard whose numbers are down to 250.
“The Great Indian bustard was a priority species for action for which we even developed a species recovery plan but funds were not allocated by the government,” said Mr Rahmani.
Several big cats including snow leopard, leopard and panthers are also on the endangered list. Other species including the hangal or Kashmir stag are down to 150 in number while the Jerdon courser is down to fifty birds.
Tiger expert P.K. Sen blames a lack of commitment on the part of activists for this state of affairs. “While there has been a concerted effort by tiger lovers starting with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to save the tiger, no such effort is in place to save any other species,” said Mr Sen.