One killed everyday in elephant, tiger attacks in last 3 yrs

Elephant and tiger attacks have claimed around 1,144 lives in the last three years, according to government data shared in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

The figure, which is the summation of deaths between April 2014 and May 2017, means one person was killed per day.

Till May 18 this year, 13 deaths have occurred due to tiger attacks.

The corresponding figures for the year 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2017-18 are 34, 31 and 14 respectively, the government said, replying to a written question.

There has been 245 cases of deaths caused by elephants in 2016-17, as per data available till February 9.

The corresponding figures were 392 and 415 in 2014-15 and 2015-16 respectively.

Asked whether there has been any rise in human-wildlife conflicts during the last few years, the government replied: "The information available with the ministry indicates a fluctuating statistic in the incidences of human-wildlife conflict in the country."

Out of the 13 deaths caused by tigers this year so far, Uttar Pradesh recorded the maximum at 7, followed by Maharashtra with four deaths.

At 69, Assam recorded the maximum number of fatalities caused by elephants in 2016-17, followed by Chhattisgarh with 67 and West Bengal with 65.

According to official statistics, India is house to 2,226 tigers and around 30,000 elephants.  -- PTI