PM Modi Visits Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka
PM Narendra Modi on Monday revealed the latest Tiger census data in India and announced that there is a significant rise in the number of Tigers in the country.
We have always seen Modi in his traditional kurta and a jacket. But did you see his recent pictures where Modi is in a picnic mode!? He wore trousers, shirts and cowboy hats! Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Karnataka on the 9th of April 2023. He participated in various programmes to mark 50 years of ‘Project Tiger’ in Karnataka. Initially, the project covered nine tiger reserves Now, the project includes 53 tiger reserves. He visited the Bandipur Tiger Reserve in the morning and interacted with staff and groups involved in conservation activities. He also shared a lot of photos of the safari on Twitter. On the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger, PM Modi released the latest census data which shows a 7% increase in tigers across India since 2018. The data also revealed that the number of tigers has almost doubled in the last two decades in the country. In 2006 there were 1411 tigers. In 2018 there were 2967 tigers and now in 2022 there were 3167 tigers! Wow in just 4 years, the number of tigers has increased by 200! He said, “ The success of 'Project Tiger' is a matter of pride not only for India, but for the whole world. We do not believe in conflict between ecology and economy, but give importance to their co-existence.”
PM Modi also released a vision document on tigers. He will launch a commemorative coin. The Prime Minister has also mentioned that tigers have also been part of Indian culture and mythology. “Tigers have been an important part of our culture and tradition. From Lord Ayyappa to Goddess Durga, the tiger has also been the ‘vahana’ to our gods and goddesses. There is a mention of tigers in our mythological stories. They have been an important species in the ecosystem.” In reaction to Modi’s visit, the Karnataka Congress tweeted, “It was the Congress government that implemented the Bandipur tiger conservation project in 1973, where you are enjoying a safari today. You are taking the credit for what Congress has done. Today, the number of tigers has increased significantly. A special appeal to them - don't sell Bandipur to Ad!"
He launched the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), which will promote the conservation of seven species of big cats, namely tigers, leopards, cheetahs, lions, snow leopards, pumas, and jaguars. IBCA will receive Rs 800 crore funds and will relocate animals from other countries. Narendra Modi spoke about reintroduction of Cheetahs in India decades after their extinction. He said, “Cheetahs had become extinct in India decades ago. We brought these magnificent big cats to India from Namibia and South Africa. This is the first successful continental translocation of the big cat.” He further said that India has the largest Asiatic Elephant range in the world with nearly 30,000 Elephants. He visited the Theppakadu Elephant camp in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu. There he met Bomman and Bellie, the stars of the documentary ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ that won the Oscar 2023. PM Modi had an interaction with the other mahouts and kavadis in the Elephant camp. Modi also met a wheelchair-user BJP party worker in tamil Nadu and took a selfie with him.
