Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to release the latest tiger census data in Mysuru on Sunday (April 9), to mark Project Tiger completing 50 years earlier this month. The census data on the big cats was last released in 2018.
Project Tiger, launched in 1973 by the Indira Gandhi government, completed its golden jubilee on April 1. To mark the occasion, at an event ‘Commemoration of 50 years of Project Tiger’, PM Modi Sunday will launch the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA), which will focus on protection and conservation of seven major big cats of the world — Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar and Cheetah — with membership of the range countries harbouring these species.
In July 2019, PM Modi called for an ‘Alliance of Global Leaders’ to “obliterate demand” and firmly curb poaching and illegal wildlife trade in Asia. The IBCA is being launched in this spirit.
The PM will also release the publications ‘Amrit kaal ka vision for tiger conservation’, summary report of 5th cycle of Management Effective Evaluation of Tiger Reserves, declare tiger numbers and release summary report of All India Tiger Estimation (5th cycle).
A commemorative coin on the completion of 50 years of ‘Project Tiger’ will also be released.
Earlier in the morning, Modi visited Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Chamarajanagar district and interacted with frontline field staff and self-help groups involved in conservation activities. He will also visit the Theppakadu Elephant camp in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in neighbouring Tamil Nadu bordering Chamarajanagar district and interact with mahouts and ‘kavadis’ of the elephant camp.
He will also interact with Field Directors of tiger reserves that have scored highest in the recently concluded 5th cycle of the Management Effectiveness Evaluation exercise.
India aims to sustain a viable tiger population based on a scientifically calculated carrying capacity of habitats while maintaining a balance between development and wildlife conservation, the head of Project Tiger said earlier this week.
