14 Deaths Reported Last Year Pune: The estimated tiger population in the state has increased from 169 (in 2010) to around 200 at present. While the population has increased, one of the major concerns for the government is poaching. Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Thursday said that the government is taking strong steps to curb poaching of tigers and other wild animals. Speaking to reporters after the meeting of the state wildlife board, Chavan said it has been found that tigers are being poached by electrocution. MSEDCL’s 11 KW lines pass from four tiger sanctuaries. The poachers use wires attached with hooks to draw current from the overhead high tension lines and electrocute tigers. To prevent poaching of tigers by electrocution, two proposals had come up before the state wildlife board. The first proposal was to consider whether the high tension lines can be laid underground, and the second proposal was about whether any rubber coating can be used for the lines passing through the sanctuaries. While no decision has been taken about these proposals, Chavan said a coordination group will be set up between the MSEDCL and the forest department to work out a proposal whether any joint patrolling team can be deployed along the overhead power lines. Last year, there were 14 tiger deaths, of which one died due to electrocution. This month, there have been three deaths of which one has died due to electrocution. The estimated tiger population in the state is around 200 at present, he said. Another proposal for protection of tigers is to create passes over irrigation canals. Chavan said irrigation canals, constructed in Vidarbha region, pass through tiger sanctuaries. The canals obstruct their free movement. Some tigers also get killed in these canals. For preventing such deaths and to allow free movement of tigers, a proposal is on the cards to have some passes over canals. An expert team from the irrigation department will finalise the design. Meanwhile, the state wildlife board has decided to increase the compensation to families of persons killed by tigers in buffer zones from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. The government has also decided to appoint special veterinary doctors who are willing to work in buffer zones around wildlife sanctuaries.