Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the survey on the tiger population in India on Sunday marking the completion of 50 years of Project Tiger earlier this month.

As per the new figures, the population of big cats in the country has gone up from 2,967 in 2018 to 3,167 in 2022. The growth is significant as the data revealed that the population of tigers in India stood at 1,411 in 2006, 1,706 in 2010, 2,226 in 2014, 2,967 in 2018 and 3,167 in 2022. 

During the event, Modi also released the government's vision for tiger conservation during Amrit Kaal and also launched the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA). IBCA 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.

A commemorative coin on the completion of 50 years of 'Project Tiger' was also released on the occasion.

Before launching the conference, the Prime Minister visited the Bandipur Tiger Reserve as well as the Theppakadu Elephant camp in the Mudumalai tiger Reserve.

“It has been 50 years of Project Tiger. The success of Project Tiger has been an achievement not only for India, but for the entire world. India has not only saved the tiger, but has given it a great ecosystem in which to flourish. It is a matter of great happiness for us that at a time when we have completed 75 years of Independence, that nearly 75 per cent of the world’s tiger population can now be found in India and tiger reserves in the country span 75,000 square kilometres. This has been possible because of everyone’s efforts,” he said, addressing the international conference.

"Cheetahs had become extinct in India decades ago. We brought this magnificent big cat to India from Namibia and South Africa. This is the first successful transcontinental translocation of the big cat," Modi said. 

He further added that in order to have thriving wildlife, it is extremely essential for ecosystems to thrive and noted that this has been happening in India. 

"India is a country where protecting nature is part of the culture. We do not believe in the conflict between ecology and economy, but give importance to coexistence between the two," he said. 

The 'Project Tiger' was launched in India on April 1, 1973, by the Indira Gandhi government to promote tiger conservation. Initially, it covered nine tiger reserves spread over 18,278 sq km. At present, there are 53 tiger reserves spanning more than 75,000 sq km (approximately 2.4 per cent of the country's geographical area).

Image source: ANI