India's tiger population rises by over 33 pct in 4 years: report

By Agencies Published: Jul 30, 2019 02:25 PM

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) releases a report on the occasion of the Global Tiger Day, in New Delhi, India, July 29, 2019. In a remarkable improvement in tiger headcount registered in India in recent years, the number went up to 2,967 in 2018 as against 2,226 in 2014, latest data has shown. In 2010, the country had set an ambitious target of doubling the numbers by 2022. According to a report released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Global Tiger Day on Monday, the country achieved the set target four years in advance. (PIB/Handout via Xinhua)

A newly added white tiger walks inside its enclosure at the Alipore zoo in Kolkata, India, July 29, 2019. In a remarkable improvement in tiger headcount registered in India in recent years, the number went up to 2,967 in 2018 as against 2,226 in 2014, latest data has shown. In 2010, the country had set an ambitious target of doubling the numbers by 2022. According to a report released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Global Tiger Day on Monday, the country achieved the set target four years in advance. (Xinhua/Tumpa Mondal)

School children pose for photos with tiger masks to mark the Global Tiger Day at the Alipore zoo in Kolkata, India, July 29, 2019. In a remarkable improvement in tiger headcount registered in India in recent years, the number went up to 2,967 in 2018 as against 2,226 in 2014, latest data has shown. In 2010, the country had set an ambitious target of doubling the numbers by 2022. According to a report released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Global Tiger Day on Monday, the country achieved the set target four years in advance. (Xinhua/Tumpa Mondal)

A school child wearing tiger mask poses for photos to mark the Global Tiger Day at the Alipore zoo in Kolkata, India, July 29, 2019. In a remarkable improvement in tiger headcount registered in India in recent years, the number went up to 2,967 in 2018 as against 2,226 in 2014, latest data has shown. In 2010, the country had set an ambitious target of doubling the numbers by 2022. According to a report released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Global Tiger Day on Monday, the country achieved the set target four years in advance. (Xinhua/Tumpa Mondal)

In a remarkable improvement in tiger headcount registered in recent years, the number went up to 2,967 in 2018 as against 2,226 in 2014, latest data has shown.

In 2010, the country had set an ambitious target of doubling the numbers by 2022. According to a report released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Global Tiger Day on Monday, the country achieved the set target four years in advance.

Speaking on the occasion, Modi described the rise as a historic achievement for India and reaffirmed the country's commitment towards protecting the tiger.

He said that with almost 3,000 tigers, India is currently among the biggest and most secure habitats in the world.

"Today we reaffirm our commitment towards protecting the tigers. Results of the just declared Tiger Census would make every Indian happy. Nine years ago it was decided in St. Petersburg that the target of doubling tiger population will be 2022. We completed this target four years early," he said.

He said that the forest cover in the country had grown and also there has been an increase in the "protected areas" for the wild animals. In 2014, there were 692 protected areas, which increased to more than 860 in 2019. The Community Reserves (wildlife sanctuaries) have also grown from 43 in 2014 to more than 100 now.