Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the results of the fifth cycle of India’s Tiger Census on Sunday, revealing that the country’s tiger population has increased once again, and now stands at 3,167 in the wild as of 2022. The 2018 Tiger Census, which was published in July 2019, revealed the presence of 2,967 tigers in India. In the last four years, the country’s animal population has increased by 200 percent, or 6.7%.
The country’s tiger population increased from 1,411 in 2006 to 1,706 in 2010 and 2,226 in the 2014 evaluation cycle.
PM Modi announced the Tiger Census while launching the International Big Cat Alliance in Karnataka’s Mysuru, the first of its kind in the country, to commemorate Project Tiger’s 50th anniversary. The three-day conference will centre on the protection and conservation of the world’s seven major big cats: tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards, pumas, jaguars, and cheetahs.
In 2019, Modi called for a global alliance of leaders to combat poaching and illegal wildlife trade in Asia.
Prior to the conference, the Prime Minister visited the Bandipur Tiger Reserve and the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve’s Theppakadu Elephant Camp.
“Project Tiger has been running for 50 years.” The success of Project Tiger has been a triumph not only for India, but for the entire world. India has not only saved the tiger, but also provided it with a wonderful ecosystem in which to thrive. It brings us great joy that, as we celebrate 75 years of independence, nearly 75% of the world’s tiger population can now be found in India, with tiger reserves spanning 75,000 square kilometres. “Everyone’s efforts have made this possible,” he said in his address to the international conference.
“Why is it that, while tiger populations are stable or declining in other parts of the world, they are increasing in India?” Because biodiversity and the environment are intertwined with our traditions and culture,” he added.
PM Modi stated that ties with the tiger have existed for thousands of years, and 10,000-year-old paintings depicting this have been discovered in Madhya Pradesh caves. He went on to say that tribal communities in the country have close relationships with tigers, and that many communities in India worship the big cat.
The Prime Minister also stated that the population of lions, leopards, elephants, and single-horned rhinos has increased, with India having the most Asiatic elephants and single-horned rhinos in the world, as well as being the only country where the Asiatic lion can be found.
“Despite accounting for only 2.4 percent of global land area, India contributes 8% of wildlife diversity.” India is the world’s largest tiger range country. “We have the largest Asiatic Elephant range in the world, with nearly 30,000 elephants,” he said, adding that the population of single-horned rhinoceros was also the largest.
Due to various conservation efforts, the population of Asiatic lions has also grown from 525 in 2015 to 675 in 2020, whereas the population of leopards has increased 60 per cent in just four years. The National Mission for Clean Ganga has helped revive the population of some endangered aquatic species also. “This is due to people’s participation (in conservation) and the culture of preservation,” Modi said.
PM Modi went on to say that there is no conflict between “ecology and economy,” and that it is critical to establish an emotional and economic bond between human communities and wildlife in order for conservation to be successful. “Wildlife protection is the responsibility of the entire world, which is why an international alliance is so important,” said the Prime Minister, adding that the international conference will ensure the exchange of best practises as well as financial and technical resources. “Research, training, and capacity building will be prioritised,” he added.
Due to awareness programmes, man-animal conflict has reduced around tiger reserves while helping local economies. “This has had a positive influence on the life of people and ecology,” he said. Noting the Union government initiative to introduce cheetahs – which has gone extinct in India – Modi hailed it to be the “first trans-continental translocation” due to which four cheetah cubs were born recently on Indian soil.
“Wildlife conservation is a global concern, not a national one.” “The International (Big Cat) Alliance is a necessity,” he said, adding that it would aid in financial and technical assistance for wildlife conservation and protection.
“Focus of the Alliance is to conserve seven big cats of the world… Nations with these animals are part of the alliance, and can share their experience and help partner nations. The Alliance will work together for research, training and capacity building,” he said.