India, June 26 -- Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav has flagged man-animal conflict and tigers outside tiger reserves as two of the most critical challenges faced by the conservation sector.

Speaking at the Indian Conservation Conference hosted by Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Yadav said: "Just two days ago, I went to Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. There are two kinds of issues there. First, there is man-animal conflict. Second, tigers outside tiger reserves. This is also a big challenging problem. This problem is also seen in Tadoba... in Kabini... in Ranthambore...," he said.

"We have also made a decision at the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in the last few days. We will have to revisit our forest management. And, ...