India has welcomed its 54th tiger reserve, located across Rajasthan's Karauli and Dholpur districts. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has granted approval to the proposal, signifying an important milestone in the nation's conservation efforts. This new reserve becomes Rajasthan's fifth, joining the ranks of Ranthambore, Sariska, Mukundra Hills, and Ramgarh Vishdhari.

''Giant leap for wildlife conservation in Rajasthan. Happy to announce that the state has got yet another Tiger Reserve.

''The Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve has been accorded the final approval by @ntca_india. Let's pledge to safeguard this precious ecosystem and its majestic tigers,'' Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav wrote on the microblogging site X.

As per the latest government data, India's tiger population has shown a noteworthy surge, rising from 2,967 in 2018 to 3,682 in 2022, reflecting an annual increase of 6 percent.

Notably, over the past four years, Madhya Pradesh has experienced a remarkable upswing in its tiger population, witnessing a 50 percent surge. Presently, the state boasts the highest number of tigers in the country, with a count of 785. Following closely is Karnataka, with 563 tigers, while Uttarakhand and Maharashtra also stand strong with 560 and 444 tigers, respectively.

In Rajasthan, the growth trajectory of tiger numbers has demonstrated remarkable progress. From a count of 32 tigers in 2006, the state's tiger population has seen a substantial upturn, reaching 88 tigers in 2022. This positive trend highlights Rajasthan's dedication to conservation efforts and signifies a significant achievement in bolstering the tiger population within its borders.

This collective progress reinforces India's pivotal role in safeguarding its unique wildlife heritage and underscores the nation's strides toward maintaining a thriving ecosystem for future generations.

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