Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of “Project Tiger”, went on a jungle safari to Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka on Sunday.

Wearing a hat along with a safari outfit, Mr. Modi covered around 20 km in an open jeep. He also interacted with the forest staff including the field staff and groups involved in conservation activities later.

Mr. Modi also visited the Theppakadu Elephant Camp in Tamil Nadu, where the Oscar-winning documentary ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ was shot and was seen feeding the elephants. He also met Bomman and Belli – the caretakers of baby elephants, along with Bommi and Raghu – the two baby elephants featured in the documentary.

The Prime Minister posted several pictures on his Twitter account. He shared pictures of elephants, langurs, deer, and Indian gaurs. “Spent the morning at the scenic Bandipur Tiger Reserve and got a glimpse of India’s wildlife, natural beauty and diversity”, he said.

Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav said, “The journey of Tiger conservation which started in 1973 with 9 Tiger Reserves, has reached to 53 reserves in the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav under the PM’s leadership. 23 Tiger Reserves has got international accreditation.”

Addl Chief Secretary Environment Climate Change & Forests, Govt of Tamil Nadu, Ms Supriya Sahu too welcomed the Prime Minister’s gesture to visit the two tiger reserves on the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.

PROJECT TIGER

Project Tiger was launched in 1973 by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in view of the fast-dwindling population of Royal Bengal tigers in the country due to rampant poaching. Initially, six forest areas were declared as National Tiger Reserves.

By 2006 the number of tigers in India was reduced to an all-time low – 1,411. With sustained conservation efforts, the tiger population in 2018 was 2,697 as the number of tiger reserves in the country went up to 54. Prime Minister Modi is expected to release the results of the latest tiger census today.