To showcase the success of India’s tiger conservation efforts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the tiger estimation report 2022 at a mega event in poll-bound Karnataka’s Mysuru on the golden anniversary of ‘Project Tiger’ next month.
According to the national tiger conservation authority member-secretary SP Yadav, the government’s latest tiger census data will also be released on April 9.
PM Modi will also launch a detailed report on the management effectiveness evaluation of tiger reserves, a unique initiative based on independent periodic assessment of the reserves.
During the occasion, a mega international conference will see attendance of all tiger range countries along with international scientists and non-profits.
According to government figures, the number of tigers in India has increased steadily over two decades. India had an estimated 1,411 tigers in 2006, which increased to 1,706 in 2010, 2,226 in 2014 and 2,967 in 2018.
India launched ‘Project Tiger’ in a bid to increase the low population of tigers on April 1, 1973. India had 3000 back then.
The area for the ‘Project Tiger’ has been increased from approximately nine tiger reserves with 18000 sqkm to 75,000 sqkm in 53 tiger reserves.
“In our tiger estimation report, we have doubled the number of tigers in 2018 as per the global target of 2010. The latest numbers will be declared on April 9,” the official said.
India has become home to around 70% of the global wild tiger population with this number increasing 6% per year.
Yadav further said, “Tiger reserves are also a very important source of water. For the water security of the country, ecological balance conservation and protection of tigers is important.”