Prime Minister Narendra Modi established the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA) in Karnataka on Sunday with the goal of combating poaching and illegal wildlife trade. PM Modi also launched the ’50th Anniversary of Project Tiger’. During the programme, he released ‘Amrit Kaal Ka Vision for Tiger Conservation,’ a summary report of the 5th cycle of Management Effective Assessment of Tiger Reserves.
He also made available a summary report of the All India Tiger Estimate (5th cycle). PM Modi also unveiled a commemorative coin marking the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger. He met with the field directors of the tiger reserves who received the highest scores in the recently completed 5th cycle of the Management Effectiveness Assessment exercise.
The IBCA, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), will focus on the protection and conservation of the world’s seven principal big cats: the Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar, and Cheetah.
In July 2019, Prime Minister Modi called for a Global Leaders Coalition to combat poaching and illegal wildlife trade in Asia.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav said, “The journey of Tiger conservation, which started in 1973 with nine Tiger Reserves, has reached to 53 reserves in the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav under the Prime Minister’s leadership. 23 Tiger Reserves have received international accreditation.”
Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi visited Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka where he engaged with frontline field employees and self-help organisations participating in conservation activities, as part of programmes to mark 50 years of ‘Project Tiger’.
“Spent the morning at the scenic Bandipur Tiger Reserve and got a glimpse of India’s wildlife, natural beauty, and diversity,” tweeted Prime Minister. On Sunday, PM Modi also paid a visit to the Theppakadu Elephant Camp in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, where he met with mahouts and kavadis. Prime Minister Modi was seen feeding sugarcane to an elephant in a footage of his visit. (ANI)
