Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that India’s tiger population increased to 3,167 in 2022 from 2,967 recorded in 2018. He made the announcement whilst releasing a report, ‘Status of Tigers, India 2022’ in Mysuru, Karnataka on Sunday. PM Modi said he was proud about the super success of the Project Tiger, which completed 50 years on Sunday.
In India, the number of tigers has almost doubled in the last two decades. The tiger population in India was 3,167 in 2022, 2,967 in 2018, 2,226 in 2014, 1,706 in 2010 and 1,411 in 2006 revealed in the latest tiger census data. PM Modi and other dignitaries gave a standing ovation to Tiger at the inaugural session of commemoration of 50 years of Project Tiger.
During the programme, he released the publication ‘Amrit Kaal Ka Vision for Tiger Conservation’, a summary report of the 5th cycle of Management Effective Evaluation of Tiger Reserves. He also released a summary report of All India Tiger Estimation (5th cycle).
PM Modi said that “Project Tiger leads the way in the protection and conservation of big cats. It is part of Indian culture to protect nature. The success of Project Tiger is a matter of pride not only for India but for the whole world. India has completed 75 years of independence; and at the same time, 75% of the world’s tiger population is in India.”
He added, “With only 2.4% of the world’s land area, India contributes to about 8% of the known global diversity. Cheetahs had become extinct in India decades ago. We brought this magnificent big cat to India from Namibia and South Africa. This is the first successful trans-continental translocation of the big cat. With nearly 30,000 Elephants, we are the largest Asiatic Elephant range country in the world.”
PM Modi also met Bomman and Bellie, the couple who featured in the Oscar-winning documentary ‘The Elephant Whisperers’. He said, “The Elephant Whispers documentary that won an Oscar also reflects our legacy of the wonderful relationship between nature and creatures. I urge you (foreign dignitaries) to take something from the life and tradition of our tribal society.”
Meanwhile, the Chamarajanagar district administration has prohibited the public from taking safari rides at Bandipur National Park from April 5 to April 9, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit. PM Modi will also kick off a three-day mega event in Mysuru to commemorate the 50th anniversary of “Project Tiger.” On the same day, the Prime Minister visit Tamil Nadu’s Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.
What is IBCA?
In collaboration with countries, IBCA will focus on the protection and conservation of the world’s seven major big cats, including the tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah.
- The IBCA will provide assured support over five years with guaranteed funding of over Rs 800 crore.
- The group will work towards the protection of the seven big cats — tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah.
- Membership to the alliance will be open to 97 “range” countries, which contain the natural habitat of these big cats, as well as other interested nations, international organisations, etc.
- The IBCA will engage in advocacy, partnership, knowledge e-portal, capacity building, eco-tourism, partnerships between expert groups and finance tapping.
- The main focus of the alliance is to rehabilitate the big cats.
- The alliance will disseminate information on benchmarked practices, capacity building, resources repository, research and development, and awareness creation.
Prime Minister Modi called for an Alliance of Global Leaders in July 2019 to put a stop to poaching and illegal wildlife trade in Asia. According to the government, the tiger population increased by 33% in four years to 2,967 in 2018. On April 9, the Prime Minister will release the most recent tiger population figures.
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