Tigers threatened

WHILE plans are being drawn up across the world to protect endangered tiger species, the Madhya Pradesh government's decision to lift the ban on the collection of tendu leaves from 44 protected forests of the state has kicked up a storm: but 3 national parks have been excluded from the order. In these parks, collection of leaves will remain banned.

The forests in Madhya Pradesh are protected because they house the world's largest population of tigers - 900 according to the 1993 census. The collection of tendu leaves and other minor forest produce could upset their habitat, decimating them. The leaves, collected in their billions, are used to wrap tobacco in bidis.