根據政府最新普查紀錄顯示，在過去五年內，印度老虎減少的數量已超過半數，國家老虎保育委員會估計在2006至2007年間，老虎數量僅存約1,165到 1,657隻，遠低於最後在2002年的普查數量，當時觀察者統計，分布於印度的老虎大約有3,642隻。
政府於12日發表「印度老虎的處境：吃與被吃的矛盾」報告中指出，整體而言，分布於全印度的老虎數量都呈現下降趨勢；而世界自然基金會(WWF)也表態，認為該普查紀正是印度老虎目前狀況的最真實寫照。
全球保育組織表示，「針對印度老虎或全球其他地區野生老虎數量調查而言，此次普查可以說是歷來最為完整詳盡的一次。」
自2002年起，散佈於印度各邦的老虎都相繼減少了至少一半的數量，例如當年印度南部安得拉邦(Andhra Pradesh)尚存192隻老虎，如今卻只剩95隻，而奧里薩（Orissa）情況更加嚴重，由原先173隻劇減至今日的45隻。
「估計數量實在低到讓人心寒」，世界自然基金會(WWF)印度分會長班納吉表示，「但與以往相比，現在我們已掌握老虎棲息地及確切數量等較詳盡的資訊，因而能更有計畫且更有效率採取行動，以助於確保老虎數量回升，讓象徵印度的國家性指標－『老虎』得以維持下去。」
「值得關注的是，幾處保留區內的老虎數量似乎有遞減的現象，顯示出保留區所提供的保護水準有加強並維持一定水平的必要性；除此之外，另一項更讓人擔憂的則是生存於保留區、國家公園及庇護所以外的老虎。」
班納吉並警告，「如果不重視他們的保育，我們將連同他們也一起失去；因此，應有效加強保育執法，來抵制盜獵和非法交易所造成的威脅。」
隸屬印度政府的國家老虎保育委員會，採取透過獨立研究機構－印度野生生物基金會（Wildlife Institute of India），來對老虎數量進行科學評估，世界自然基金會(WWF)對其深表贊同。
班納吉表示，「普查數據也充分傳達了老虎數量已處於臨界值邊緣的狀態，一旦數量進一步下降，那麼復育老虎將可能成為一項不可能的任務。」
「政府、各機構與各機關出面的時刻到了，如果我們未來仍想在野外看到老虎的蹤跡，那麼我們就該表現出堅定的決心來保育老虎。」
India has lost more than half of its tiger population in the past five years, a new government tiger census shows. Crunching the numbers for its 2006-2007 census, the National Tiger Conservation Authority estimates the population at between 1,165 and 1,657 tigers.
At the last census in 2002, observers counted 3,642 tigers across India.
The government report, "State of tiger, co-predators and prey in India," released in New Delhi on Tuesday, said there has been an overall loss in India's tiger population.
WWF calls the census, "the most reliable picture yet of the state of the Indian tiger."
"This is the most complete census ever undertaken of tigers in India, or of wild tigers anywhere else in the world," said the global conservation organization.
Today, the state of Andhra Pradesh has only 95 tigers, when in 2002 there were 192 tigers in the state.
Most tiger range Indian states have lost at least half their tigers since 2002, and Orissa has lost even more - only 45 tigers remain out of the 173 that were counted then.
"These estimates are distressingly low," said Sujoy Banerjee, director, species conservation, WWF-India. "But at least we now have better habitat and population data than ever before and we can intervene more strategically and more effectively to help ensure that tiger populations recover, and that India can maintain its national symbol."
"It is of great concern that some reserves appear to have lost their tigers, pointing to a clear need to upgrade and maintain the general level of protection offered in reserves," said Banerjee, "but apart from this, the matter of real concern is the tigers outside the tiger reserves, national parks and sanctuaries."
"If attention is not paid to their conservation we will lose them altogether," he warned. "The continued threat from poaching and illegal trade in tiger parts must be met with enhanced enforcement efforts."
WWF complimented the Indian government’s National Tiger Conservation Authority for its decision to undertake a scientific assessment of tiger population through an independent research agency, the Wildlife Institute of India.
"It is also amply clear," said Banerjee, "that the tiger numbers are at the threshold, and if the numbers go down any further, then recovery may not be possible at all."
"The time has come for the government and all other institutions and agencies to show serious commitment to tiger conservation if at all we wish to see tiger in the wild in India in the future."
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In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
