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Deforestation in Asia
From 1945 to 1975, the forest cover in Asia has decreased which led to the loss of thick forests Asia. Like areas of Tropical rain forests, vast swathes of land are cleared for agricultural production. When this happens, tigers lose their vegetative cover, are forced into inhabited areas for prey. When they kill livestock, farmers then go after the Tigers. -
Bengal Tiger offically becamed Endangered
In 1969 the tiger was declared an endangered species. At that time there was an official ban on the export of tiger furs from India. -
Wild Life (Protection) Act
The objective of this act was to effectively control poaching and illegal trade in wildlife and its derivatives. This has been amended recently (January, 2003) and punishment and penalty for offences under the Act have been made more stringent.
For offences relating to wild animals (or their parts and products) included in schedule-I or part II of Schedule- II and those relating to hunting or altering the boundaries of a sanctuary or national park the punishment and penalty have been enhanced, -
Indian Project Launching
The Indian government launched a project that was supposed to establish a network of sanctuaries and reserves. At that time, there were 9 reserves, and now their number has grown. This project has been helpful in increasing their population. -
Poaching and Smuggling Pentalty
The existing law, which dates back to 1974, sets the maximum penalty for poaching or smuggling to a fine of 30 US dollars (2,000 taka) and a two-year prison term. The current laws are too compassionate to preserve the country’s endangered big game populations, said the government’s top conservation official. -
CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species)
Imposed a ban on the buying or selling tiger parts.
This act states that countries work together to regulate the international trade of animal and plant species and ensure that this trade is not detrimental to the survival of wild populations. Any trade in protected plant and animal species should be sustainable, based on sound biological understanding and principles. -
CITES warning China and Taiwan
CITES warned China and Taiwan to shut down their black markets trading in tiger parts or face trade sanctions. When they did not comply, the United States took historic steps. -
Clinton imposed trade sanctions against Taiwan
In 1994, President Clinton imposed trade sanctions against Taiwan for its role in illegally marketing parts of tigers and rhinos. (Rhinos are as endangered as tigers. They are slaughtered for their horns.) -
Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act
The United States Congress passed The Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act to provide resources to conservation programs focused on saving these endangered species -
Expected Extinction Date
In the 1990's the estimated number of tigers was over 100,000 and in the 1970's the estimated number dropped down to 4,000. This means 96,000 tigers have died and several species of tigers have become extinct. If these trends continue,the wild tiger may evolve from being an endangered species and off the endangered species list to become an extinct species. A few of the remaining endangered subspecies may survive only in zoos; others will live only in stories, pictures and myths, never again