The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has initiated an investigation into missing tigers, and possible poaching of big cats in Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) with official sources saying that a senior officer will soon visit the reserve for an on the spot investigation. Consequently, the NTCA official said, all tiger-bearing states must enhance “preventive and enforcement measures” to “strengthen protection of tigers and prevent poaching and illegal trade in tiger parts and derivatives.” Calling for “heightened vigilance” at the field-level, he said, this must be done, “particularly in vulnerable areas and along potential routes used for illegal wildlife trafficking.” In a letter to all CWWs dated July 31, Dr Kumar said that it had come to the NTCA’s notice with it receiving several reports regarding instances of poaching of tigers, illegal trade and seizure of tiger products from Cambodia and Myanmar. As per reports, there is still demand for tiger body parts and derivatives in countries in South East Asia including China, the letter said.