Commemorating Project Tiger’s 50th Anniversary in Mysuru, PM Modi also launched the International Big Cats Alliance
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, recently went to Mysuru, Karnataka, to commemorate Project Tiger's 50th anniversary. The International Big Cats Alliance was also established by the Prime Minister (IBCA) on the occasion. He released the documents "Amrit Kaal Ka Vision For Tiger Conservation," a summary report of the 5th cycle of Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves, declared that the tiger population stood at 3167 and launched the "Summary Report on All India Tiger Estimates" (5th cycle). In addition, he unveiled a commemorative coin to mark Project Tiger's 50th anniversary.
The PM remarked on the momentous growth of the tiger population in India and showed appreciation by giving the tigers a standing ovation. He noted that the success of the programme gave not only India but the rest of the globe cause for celebration. The PM stressed that India has created an ecology that allows tigers to thrive in addition to preventing their population from dwindling. In the 75th year of Indian independence, the Prime Minister stated his happiness that 75% of the world's tigers reside in India.
The Prime Minister stated that India's traditions, culture, and natural urge towards biodiversity and environment hold the key to explaining why the number of tigers is growing there compared to other nations where it is either stagnant or declining. “India does not believe in the conflict between ecology and economy, and gives equal importance to the coexistence of both”, the Prime Minister remarked. The Prime Minister referred to the significance of tigers in Indian history and noted that tigers were graphically depicted on ten thousand-year-old rock art in Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, he pointed out that while many Indian cultures view the tiger as a friend and sibling, the Bharia and Worli communities in Maharashtra and elsewhere worship the big cat. He continued by saying that Lord Aiyappa and Maa Durga ride tigers.
Noting India’s unique achievements in wildlife conservation, the Prime Minister said, “India is a country where protecting nature is a part of the culture”. India contributes about 8% of the known global biodiversity, although having only 2.4 percent of the world's land area. He said that with approximately 30,000 Asian elephants and about 3,000 single-horned rhinos, India is the world's largest country with a tiger range, Asiatic elephant range, and single-horned rhino population. He went on to say that India is the only country in the world to have Asiatic lions, and that by 2020, there will be 675 of them instead of the 525 in 2015. He also mentioned the leopard population in India, noting that it had grown by more than 60% in just four years.
“It is important for ecosystems to thrive for the wildlife to thrive”, the Prime Minister remarked as he noted the work done in India. He highlighted that the nation now has 11 new wetlands on its list of Ramsar sites, bringing the total to 75. He claimed that, compared to 2019, India's forest and tree cover increased by approximately 2200 square kilometres by 2021. The number of Community Reserves expanded from 43 to over 100 in the last ten years, and from 9 to 468 National Parks and sanctuaries had Eco-sensitive Zones declared surrounding them, according to the Prime Minister.
“Wildlife protection is not a one-country issue but a universal one”, the Prime Minister said, stressing the need for an International Alliance. On Global Tiger Day in 2019, the Prime Minister called for a coalition to combat poaching and the illegal wildlife trade in Asia, and he said the International Big Cat Alliance is an extension of that demand. The PM noted its advantages, stating that it will be simple to mobilise financial and technical resources for the entire big cat ecosystem while also putting into practise the conservation and protection agenda that has been developed as a result of the experiences of various nations, including India. “The focus of the International big cat alliance will be on the conservation of the world's 7 major big cats including tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah.” The countries that are home to these cats will be a part of this alliance. He further elaborated that the member countries will be able to share their experiences, help their fellow country more quickly, and place an emphasis on research, training and capacity building.
The Prime Minister emphasised the slogan for India's G20 presidency, "One Earth, One Family, One Future," saying that it underlines the message that a better future for humanity is only conceivable when our environment remains protected and our biodiversity continues to expand. “This responsibility belongs to all of us, it belongs to the whole world”, he reiterated. The Prime Minister mentioned COP26 and said that India has set great, ambitious targets. He also expressed confidence in cross-border cooperation as a means of attaining all environmental protection goals.
The Prime Minister asked the foreign visitors and dignitaries present to learn something from the way of life and customs of India's tribal society in his address to them. He emphasised tribally populated areas in the Sahyadri and Western Ghats and claimed that for ages, these areas had actively contributed to the enrichment of all biodiversity, including that of the tiger. He stressed that this situation can adopt the tribal heritage of the balance of give and take from nature. The PM also mentioned the Oscar-winning documentary "The Elephant Whisperers" in his closing remarks.
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav and Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey were present on the occasion among others.