New Delhi, Nov 11 (IANS): A conservationist from Netherlands has urged Asian companies to contribute one percent of their profits as an independent tiger conservation fund, as his six-month TigerTrail project in India ended here Monday.

"This one percent conservation charge should be independent of corporate social responsibility. It can be used by the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working at ground level for the conservation of tigers," said tiger conservationist Chris Slappendel.

Slappendel has travelled to 24 countries where tigers are present and after analysis has highlighted the loopholes in conservation.

"Conservationsits and NGOs don't have money or power so this fund can be utilised by them and can also be used for educating and developing people who live in conflict zones," he added.

Slappendel sought support from the United Nations and World Bank to initiate the tiger conservation work.

During his six months journey around the Asian countries, he also highlighted the illegal breeding in China and the ill-treatment of tigers at the Tiger Temple in Pattaya (Thailand).

According to the data he has collected there are only 3,000 to 4,300 tigers in Asia.