Bhopal, Jul 29 (PTI) A slew of wildlife conservation measures undertaken in Madhya Pradesh have boosted the number of tigers, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Wednesday, citing the projected increase in the big cat’s population beyond 1,000.
Yadav said the initiatives covered tigers, leopards, gharials, elephants, and wild buffaloes, leading to the rapid increase in the tiger population.
“(On the back of these measures), Madhya Pradesh has earned the status of a “Tiger State”, the chief minister said while addressing a state-level programme organised on International Tiger Day here.
He said 53 years ago, the tiger population in Madhya Pradesh was in single digits. In 2016, the number of big cats increased to approximately 250.
“The 2022 Census showed 785 tigers in the state. Next year, the number of tigers is projected to exceed 1,000 in the new Census,” Yadav added.
Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Madhya Pradesh continues to enjoy a golden and prosperous era of rich biological heritage, he said.
According to Yadav, Indian culture is steeped in generosity towards nature and wildlife as the vehicles of gods and goddesses are also associated with various creatures.
“Tiger, the king of the jungle, is the vehicle of Goddess Durga, the deity of power,” he noted.
On the occasion, Yadav inaugurated and inspected an exhibition focusing on wildlife conservation activities. He dedicated vehicles received for wildlife conservation.
Yadav released departmental publications including “Fluttering Jewels of Satpura,” a book focusing on the butterflies of the Satpura region and several others on the state’s rich flora and fauna.
The chief minister unveiled the logos of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve and the Veerangna Durgavati Tiger Reserve, released teasers for a documentary film focusing on the reintroduction of the Barasingha in the Satpura Tiger Reserve, and a documentary on tiger rewilding in the Kanha Tiger Reserve.
Extending greetings to people on International Tiger Day and Guru Purnima, Yadav said Madhya Pradesh holds a unique identity across the country for its successful efforts and unwavering commitment to tiger conservation.
He said tigers are a symbol of our rich forests, biodiversity, and environmental balance. The state government is committed to nature and wildlife conservation through public participation.
Yadav further said that significant efforts have been made towards the conservation of Gharials (fish-eating crocodiles) in the Chambal river.
Gharials have also been released in the rivers of the Kuno region. The reintroduction of wild buffalo, which became extinct 100 years ago, has been successfully carried out in Madhya Pradesh.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF-Wildlife), Samita Rajora, said that following a resolution taken in Russia, International Tiger Day has been celebrated on July 29th.
Madhya Pradesh has made a significant contribution to tiger conservation. The state government is moving forward with a commitment to protect all wildlife, Rajora added.
“The state receives 28 lakh wildlife tourists annually, including 100,000 foreigners. Various tiger conservation activities are currently underway in all nine tiger reserves in the state,” she said.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, Shubhanjan Sen, said Madhya Pradesh has a proud history of tiger and wildlife conservation.
Besides being a “Tiger State”, Madhya Pradesh is now also a Cheetah State and a Leopard State. Many important steps have been taken towards wildlife conservation under CM Yadav’s leadership,” he added. PTI MAS NSK
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