The funding proposed Friday by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram follows the announcement just weeks ago of a $153 million program to create new tiger reserves, underscoring renewed efforts by India’s government to protect the big cats. New estimates suggest India’s wild tiger population has dropped from nearly 3,600 five years ago to about 1,411, the Government-run Tiger Project said last month. ①“The number 1,411 should ring the alarm bells... The tiger is under threat，” Chidambaram told Parliament during his budget (预算 ) presentation for 2010～2011.