Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka. He will release the latest tiger census data later today marking the completion of 50 years of project tiger. During Amrit Kaal, he will also unveil the government’s vision for tiger conservation and launch the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA).
The IBCA will focus on protecting and conservating seven of the world’s most significant big cats: the Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar, and Cheetah, with membership from a variety of countries.
PM Modi visited Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Chamarajanagar district and met with frontline field staff and self-help groups involved in conservation efforts. He also went to the Theppakadu Elephant Camp in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, which borders Chamarajanagar district, and interacted with the elephant camp’s mahouts and ‘kavadis’.
The Prime Minister also met with Field Directors from tiger reserves that received the highest marks in the recently completed 5th cycle of the Management Effectiveness Evaluation exercise. Security in Mysuru had been increased in preparation for the Prime Minister’s visit. The district administration had prohibited tourists from visiting the tiger reserve from April 6 to April 9. The authorities also closed National Highway 181, and vehicles passing through this road were diverted due to the VVIP visit.
WHAT IS PROJECT TIGER?
On April 1, 1973, India launched Project Tiger to promote conservation and revive the declining tiger population. Initially, the project included nine tiger reserves covering an area of 18,278 square kilometres. Significant progress has been made towards this goal over the last 50 years. The number of tiger reserves has now risen to 53, covering an area of 75,500 square kilometres.
As per the latest official figures, India has approximately 3,000 tigers, accounting for more than 70 per cent of the global wild tiger population, and the population is growing at a rate of per cent per year.
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