India's tiger population in 2022 was 3,167, reveals latest census data released by PM

Karnataka: India's tiger population rose by 200 in the past four years to reach 3,167 in 2022, the latest tiger census data released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Sunday revealed.

According to the data, the tiger population stood at:

1,411 in 2006

1,706 in 2010

2,226 in 2014

2,967 in 2018

3,167 in 2022

At the inaugural session of commemoration of 50 years of 'Project Tiger', the Prime Minister also launched the 'International Big Cat Alliance', which will focus on the protection and conservation of seven major big cats of the world, including tiger and lion. He also released a booklet, 'Amrit Kaal Ka Tiger Vision', presenting the vision for tiger conservation in the next 25 years.

The Prime Minister said that protection of wildlife was a universal issue, adding that IBCA was India's endeavour for the protection and conservation of big cats.

"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.

For wildlife to thrive, it is important for ecosystems to thrive, Modi said, adding that this has been happening in India.

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

In July 2019, the Prime Minister called for an 'Alliance of Global Leaders' to "obliterate demand" and firmly curb poaching and illegal wildlife trade in Asia.

Project Tiger:

India launched the IBCA with to bring focus to 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.

India launched 'Project Tiger' on April 1, 1973 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).

The Prime Minister spent the morning at the scenic Bandipur Tiger Reserve where he went on a jeep safari and got a glimpse of the wildlife, natural beauty and biodiversity.

Modi interacts with "The Elephant Whisperers" couple

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Theppakkadu elephant camp at Mudumalai in the hilly Nilgiris district and interacted with Bellie and Bomman, the elephant caretakers who featured in an Oscar-winning documentary "The Elephant Whisperers."

Upon his arrival, the PM was accorded a welcome by the pachyderms, and he fed sugarcane to some of the elephants in the Theppakkadu camp at the tiger reserve.

Inputs from PTI