Big Cat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA) and unveil the latest tiger population data at Karnataka State Open University in Mysuru on Sunday.
The IBCA strives to reduce poaching and the illicit wildlife trade in order to concentrate on the protection and conservation of the seven main big cats found around the world: the Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar, and Cheetah.
On the first day of the three-day Indian Conservation Conference (ICC), the Alliance will be introduced and tiger population numbers will be released in honor of Project Tiger’s 50th anniversary, which was initiated by the then-prime minister.
To increase political and public support for tiger conservation, the three-day mega event in Mysuru will highlight India’s success in tiger conservation around the world. At the conclusion of Project Tiger’s 50-year run, Modi will also issue a commemorative coin worth Rs 50.
Prior to the celebratory event in Mysuru, the prime minister will stop by Bandipur Tiger Reserve to meet with front-line field personnel and Self Help Groups engaged in conservation efforts. Additionally, he will go to the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve’s Theppakadu Elephant Camp where he will meet the mahouts and kavadis.
According to the 2018 census, India is home to more than 70% of the world’s wild tiger population. The number of tigers in the nation is growing at a 6% yearly rate. Between 2006 and 2018, India’s wild tiger population more than doubled.
Project Tiger’s initial coverage included nine tiger reserves spread across 18,278 square kilometers, but the country now has 53 tiger reserves encompassing more than 75,000 square kilometres (about 2.4% of the country’s geographical size) of tiger habitat. Between 2014 and 2018, the number of tigers increased by 33%, from 2,226 to 2,967.
The Asiatic lion population increased by about 29%, from 523 in 2015 to 674 in 2020. The leopard population, on the other hand, has increased by more than 62% (from 7,910 in 2014 to 12,852 in 2018).
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