Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday revealed that the tiger population in the country stood at 3,167 as of the year 2022 as per the latest census data.

According to the data, the tiger population stood at 1,411 in 2006, 1,706 in 2010, 2,226 in 2014, 2,967 in 2018 and 3,167 in 2022.

Modi marked 50 years of India's 'Project Tiger' on Sunday with a visit to Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka.

He said India did not believe in conflict between ecology and economy but gave importance to coexistence between the two.

Protection of wildlife was a universal issue, Modi said, launching the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), which endeavours to protect and conserve big cats.

IBCA will focus on protection and conservation of seven major big cats of the world -- tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah -- with range countries harbouring these species being its members.

"The tiger numbers that we have reached shows that this family of ours is growing. This is a moment of pride." Calling for a standing ovation to celebrate the rise in tiger population, he added, "I'm confident and I assure the world that in the days to come we will achieve more."

Pictures: PM Modi's jungle safari in Bandipur Tiger Reserve

Modi strssed on how India has created an ecosystem for tigers and other animals to flourish.

"India is a country where protecting nature is part of the culture. For wildlife to thrive, it is important for ecosystems to thrive. This has been happening in India," he said, adding that protecting wildlife was not the issue of just one country, but a global one.

Pointing out that cheetahs had become extinct in India decades ago, the Prime Minister referred to the recent initiative where the big cats were brought to India from Namibia and South Africa, and said it was the first successful transcontinental translocation of the big cat.

He also highlighted the fact that four cubs had been born to these cheetahs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

The Sahyadris or Western Ghats have several tribal communities who have worked for wild life and tigers to flourish, Modi noted as he lauded their contribution in conservation efforts.

He released a booklet ‘Amrit Kaal Ka Tiger Vision’, presenting the vision for tiger conservation in the next 25 years.

Also read: 50 years of Project Tiger: PM Modi takes a jungle safari into Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka

(Edited by : Pradeep John)

First Published:Apr 9, 2023 2:20 PM IST