PM Modi to inaugurate Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation today

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the three-day 3rd Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation today in New Delhi, where more than 700 tiger experts, scientists, managers, donors and other stakeholders are gathering to discuss issues related to tiger conservation.

Ministers and government officials from all Tiger Range Countries, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, India, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russian Federation, Thailand, Vietnam, besides Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan, having ranges of Snow Leopard are participating in the conference.

While several Tiger Range Countries like India, Nepal, Russia and Bhutan have registered an increase in tiger population, the status of Tiger remains "endangered".

Tiger population has decimated to non-viable level in some range countries, which is a cause for concern.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar, said, "We have allotted Rs.380.00 crore to the Project Tiger in the current fiscal year, which is an all-time high and indicates that the Government of India is committed to the conservation of our national animal, Tiger."

Javadekar said that due to the concerted efforts of the Government and other stakeholders, more than 70% of the global wild tiger population is in India.

He also said that saving the Tiger means much more than ecological balance.

"It is helping in combating adverse effects of climate change as well", he added.