Former PMs, 320 MPs sign appeal to save tiger

For the first time ever, former prime ministers and MPs across party lines appealed to the prime minister to save the tiger from extinction.

Former prime minister Chandra Shekhar and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Union ministers and leaders of all political parties in the two Houses of Parliament signed the appeal to the PM, pointing out that the tiger population had fallen to half what it was during Independence. A total of 222 members of the Lok Sabha and 98 members of the Rajya Sabha reportedly signed the appeal

The appeal said the tiger was the greatest symbol of natural heritage, not just in India but throughout the world. It sought new and immediate reforms in administration, funding and enforcement to ensure the big cat and its habitat would remain unharmed.

"Prime minister, the future of the tiger lies in your hands. Its extinction will herald a downward spiral of ecological decay which can only escalate the misery of millions. There is not a moment to lose. We ask you to please demonstrate your concern and take action now," the appeal said.

Besides Chandrashekar and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, some of the other prominent signatories were Sharad Pawar, Nitish Kumar, George Fernandes, Kanshi Ram, Chitta Basu, Surjit Singh Barnala, M.Jagannath, Sikander Bakht, S.B.Chavan, Jayanta Roy and Satish Pradhan.