Reaffirming his government’s commitment to protecting the tiger, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said India, with nearly 3000 tigers, is one of the most biggest and most secure habitats of Tiger.
Speaking after releasing the All India Tiger Estimation 2018 on International Tiger Day, he said, ‘Today, we reaffirm our commitment towards protecting the tiger. Results of the just-declared tiger census would make every Indian happy.
‘Today, we can proudly say that India, with nearly 3000 tigers, is one of the most biggest and most secure habitats of Tiger.’ Addressing the gathering, where Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar was also present, the PM said, ‘Nine yrs ago, it was decided in St Petersburg that the target of doubling the tiger population will be 2022. We completed this target four years early.’
Stressing the need to expand efforts for Tiger conservation in the country, the PM said, ‘To people associated with the field, I would like to state that the story that began from ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ to reach ‘Tiger Zinda Hai,’ should not stop here. Efforts for Tiger conservation should be expanded. Their pace should be quickened.’
‘I feel it is possible to strike a healthy balance between – development and environment. In our policies, in our economics, we have to change the conversation about conservation,’ he added. ‘I am confident that India will prosper both economically and environmentally. India will build more roads and have cleaner rivers. India will have better train connectivity and also greater tree coverage,’ Mr Modi expressed hope.
On the occasion, he released a report, titled “Management Effectiveness & Evaluation of Tiger Reserves”.
(UNI)
