Tuesday, May 24 2005 11:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ranthambore (Rajasthan): On a mission here to explore reasons for the disappearance of tigers in the country, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (May 24, 2005) went on a safari in the Ranthambore National Park and spotted a tigress.

The Prime Minister, who was accompanied by his wife Gursharan Kaur, could spot the big cat after a drive of about 20 minutes into the forest.

The tigress, named 'The Lady of the Lake', was sitting next to the road and the VVIPs could see her from a distance of about five feet.

The Prime Minister and his wife were happy to spot the animal, whose community is fast dwindling.

Singh, who spent about an hour in the national park, also met forest officials, who explained their problems to him, particularly with regard to keeping people away.

The Prime Minister heard them patiently during the nearly 20-minute interaction.

Singh had yesterday held discussions with wildlife officials and experts on the dwindling numbers of tigers in the country, noting that "all is not well" with the way the national parks are being managed.

He said the animal was a part of our national heritage and all major steps have to be taken to preserve and protect them.

"All is not well with the way we are managing our national parks," he told the meeting. "Disappearance of tigers is a matter of national concern," Singh said.