Prime Minister releases the tiger census data of 2022
Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi released the data of the latest tiger census data at a grand event to mark the completion of 50 years of the ‘Project Tiger’ in Mysuru on Sunday (09.04.2023). The Prime Minister arrived at the Bandipur tiger reserve wearing khaki pants, camouflage t-shirt with a sleeveless jacket. He is also the first Indian PM to visit the Bandipur tiger reserve, which is the top tiger sanctuaries in India.
The Prime Minister also released the Government of India’s vision for conservation of tiger species in India’s ‘Amrit Kaal’. The Prime Minister also launched the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA). The Prime Minister announced that the population of the tiger in India as per the tiger census 3,167.
Growth of tiger population in India (Tiger Census)
The tiger population as announced by the Prime Minister as per the latest Census data is 3,167.
According to the census data, the tiger population stood at 1,411, 1,706, 2,226, 2,967 & 3,167 in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 & 2022 respectively. This is a significant rise since the last census conducted in 2018.
At the completion of 50 years of ‘Project Tiger’, the PM also launched the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA), which will focus on the conservation and protection of the seven big cats-tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah, of the world including the lion and the tiger. He also stressed that the protection of the wildlife was a universal issue adding that IBCA was India’s endeavour for the conservation and protection of big cats.
75% of Tiger population in India (Tiger Census)
The Prime Minister told that 75% of the world’s tiger population is in India. The Project Tiger has successfully led the protection and conservation of big cats in India. He said that the success of Project Tiger has not only saved the tiger population in India but also strengthened the ecosystem, ecology and economy. The success of Project Tiger is not only a matter of pride for India but also for the whole world.
He also added that cheetahs had become extinct in India years ago. The successful translocation of the cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa to India is a big achievement in itself and a move towards thriving of an ecosystem beneficial both for humans and animals.
What is ‘Project Tiger’
The Project Tiger was launched on April 01, 1973 to promote tiger conservation. The project initially covered nine tiger reserves. However, as of today the project encompasses 53 tiger reserves spread over an area of 75,000 sq. km. (approx 2.4 percent of the country’s geographical area)