A century ago, 45,000 tigers lived wild in India’s forests. When hunting was banned in 1972, their numbers had fallen to 2,000. Today, the Indian government claims that there are 1,706, but few experts believe it, saying perhaps only 1,000 remain.
Poaching is largely to blame, with a lucrative demand for tiger skin and parts from neighbouring China.
There is also the continued destruction of tiger habitats as human communities expand, leading to growing conflict between man and tiger.
On this edition of 101 East, we look at the battle to save India's tigers from extinction.
For more in pictures click here.
This film was first broadcast on Al Jazeera English in 2011.
