Beyond the celebrations, worrying signs for India’s tigers

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Editor's note: On Sunday, we were subjected to (or treated to, depending on your inclination) images of our prime minister in his boldest adventure gear yet. After his somewhat modest adventure-plus-statesman wardrobe in the appearances with Bear Grylls on the Discovery Channel and at the release of the African cheetahs, our leader went all out this time, sporting a camouflage-print T-shirt over a pair of khaki trousers along with a matching multi-pocket vest and hat (oddly reminiscent of the outdoor photos of another ultra masculine leader up north). The occasion was the celebration of 50 years of Project Tiger, the government of India programme for the conservation of the big cat. The project began with about 3,000 tigers in the wild, and now Prime Minister Modi has announced the latest estimate at 3,167 individuals. This is impressive, given the numbers had collapsed to 1,411 in 2006. The three-fold increase in 16 years is a creditable achievement. But the official statements and speeches—as well as the photographs—seem to convey the message that not only are India’s tigers doing well, we are global leaders …