Bandipur (Karnataka): The tiger popular in India was 3,167 in 2022, revealed the latest tiger census data released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Sunday. 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. At the inaugural session of commemoration of 50 years of 'Project Tiger', the Prime Minister also launched the 'International Big Cat Alliance', which will focus on protection and conservation of seven major big cats of the world, including tiger and lion. He also released a booklet Amrit Kaal Ka Tiger Vision', presenting the vision for tiger conservation in the next 25 years.
During his today's visit to Karnataka, PM Modi arrived at Bandipur Tiger Reserve on Sunday, donning a broad-brimmed hat, Khaki pants with his jacket on one arm. This is the second day of Modi's two-day southern sortie after he visited Telangana and Tamil Nadu yesterday.
The Prime Minister will release the latest tiger census data marking the completion of 50 years of 'Project Tiger' in Karnataka's Mysuru. At Bandipur Reserve, he interacts with local volunteers, field staff and the self-help groups (SHGs) that are involved in conservation efforts. He will inaugurate the programme - 'Commemoration of 50 years of Project Tiger'.
At this event, PM Modi will release the report 'Amrit Kaal Ka Vision for Tiger Conservation' on the 5th cycle of Management Effective Evaluation of Tiger Reserves. On this occasion, he will declare tiger numbers and release a summary report of All India Tiger Estimation (5th cycle) and will also release a commemorative coin on the completion of 50 years of Project Tiger.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister visited the Theppakkadu elephant camp at Mudumalai in the hilly Nilgiris district and interacted with Bellie and Bomman, the elephant caretakers who featured in an Oscar-winning documentary. The PM expressed delight over meeting the elephant caretaker couple.
Modi, who reached Mysuru in Karnataka on Saturday evening from Chennai following official engagements there, visited the tiger sanctuary briefly today. Upon his arrival, the PM was accorded a welcome by the pachyderms and he fed sugarcane to some of the elephants in the Theppakkadu camp at the tiger reserve here. He later interacted with Bellie and Bomman, who have won accolades after they featured in the Academy award-wining documentary, "The Elephant Whisperers."
"What a delight to meet the wonderful Bomman and Belli, along with Bommi and Raghu (elephant calves)," he said in a tweet. Modi uploaded pictures of him being with the couple and the young elephants, with one of them being in a playful mood with the PM.
Earlier, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) tweeted a message, "PM Narendra Modi is on the way to the Bandipur and Mudumalai Tiger Reserves." The PMO said that the Prime Minister will launch the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA) during this visit. Way back in July 2019, PM Modi had called for an Alliance of Global Leaders with the objective of firmly curbing poaching and illegal wildlife trade in Asia.
IBCA will pursue a mandate to focus on the protection and conservation of the seven major big cats of the world - tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah, said the PMO statement.
