For having doubled its tigers in just four years, as against the set target of 10 years, the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve of Uttar Pradesh (UP) as well as the UP Forest Department has bagged the first ever international award, the prestigious XT2 award for conservation of big cats.
Union Environment Minister Mr Prakash Javadekar has applauded the achievement.
In 2014, there were just 25 tigers in the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR). Within four years, that is by2018 end, their strength shot up to an impressive 65.
The news has enthused a large number of conservationists and wildlife lovers. Though always considered an excellent habitat for tigers, Pilibhit reserve however always fell under the shadow of UP’s biggest and more popular habitat of big cats- the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve on India-Nepal border.
Of late, Pilibhit reserve was also getting bad press because of recurring human-tiger conflicts, leading to death of some people. It’s hoped that with the increase in tiger numbers, the forest authorities would take extra steps to manage the reserve more effectively and also mitigate the conflict.
