Hon’ble PM’s speech at the release of ‘Tiger Census Report 2018’ in New Delhi on 29 July, 2019

My cabinet colleagues Shri Prakash Javadekar JI, Shri Babul Supriyo Ji, all other great dignitaries present here. At the outset, I greet you all on Global Tiger Day.

This year’s Global Tiger Day is also special because India has made a historic achievement. For this achievement, I congratulate you all, the wildlife lovers around the world, every officer associated with this mission, every employee and especially our tribal brothers and sisters living in the forested areas.

Friends,

Today, on Global Tiger Day, we re-affirm our commitment towards protecting the tiger. The results of the just declared tiger census would make every Indian, every nature lover happy. Nine long years ago, it was decided in Saint Petersburg, that the target of doubling the tiger population would be 2022. We in India completed this target four years early. The speed and dedication with which various stake-holders worked to achieve this is remarkable. This is one of the finest examples of ‘Sankalp se Siddhi’ i.e. achievement through resolve. Once the people of India decide to do something, there is no force that can prevent them from getting the desired results.

Friends, I remember that 14-15 years ago when these figures had come out that showed that only 1400 tigers remained in the country, it became a matter of big debate and a cause for serious concern. This was a great challenge for everyone associated with the Tiger Project. There was a very challenging task before us of providing a suitable environment for the tigers balancing with the human population. But the way in which this mission was carried forward with sensitivity and modern technology, is highly commendable.

Today we can proudly say that India is one of the world’s largest and most secure habitats with about 3000 tigers. Around three-fourths of the world’s population of tiger is found in our country.

Many of you here also know this well that the campaign to enrich the Wild Life eco-system is not limited to Tigers only. The conservation programme of Asiatic Lions found in the forests of Gir in Gujarat and the Snow Leopards is going on at a rapid pace. In fact the positive results of the work going on in the Gir forests are clearly visible. The number of tigers there has increased by 27 per cent. I am happy that the benefits of India’s best practices are also being received by other friendly countries of Tiger Range.

Today, the National Tiger Conservation Authority has entered into an agreement with five countries including China and Russia and soon the agreement with other countries will also be finalized. Guatemala is also seeking technical help from us for the Jaguar Conservation there. Well, it is also interesting to note that Tiger is a symbol of faith not just in India but in many other countries. Apart from India, Malaysia and Bangladesh have their national animal as tiger. In Chinese culture, the Tiger Year is celebrated. That is, in one sense, any initiative related to Tiger, affect several countries in many ways.

Friends,

Human empowerment is incomplete without a better environment. And so, the way ahead is in collectiveness instead of selectiveness. We need to take a broad-based and holistic look at environmental conservation.

There are several plants and animals out there that need our help. What is it that we can do, either through technology or human action, to give them a fresh lease of life so that they can add beauty and diversity to our planet? Also, there is a very old debate – development or environment. And, both sides present views as if each is mutually exclusive.

But we have to accept coexistence and also understand the importance of moving together. I feel it is possible. And in our country, we have been taught co-existence for thousands of years. Our ancestors have imagined God and have an example of co-existence in it. This is a Monday of the Sawan Month. There is a snake dangling from Shivji’s neck while the vehicle of Ganesha who is from the same family is Rat. Snake eats rats but Lord Shiva gives out the message of coexistence in his family. Here, gods and goddesses are associated with animals, birds or plants.

In our policies, in our economics, we have to change the conversation about conservation. We have to be both, smart and sensitive, and create a healthy balance of environmental sustainability and economic growth.

India will prosper both economically and environmentally. India will build more roads and India will have cleaner rivers. India will have better train connectivity and also greater tree coverage. India will build more homes for our citizens and at the same time create quality habitats for animals. India will have a vibrant marine economy and a healthier marine ecology. This balance is what will contribute to a strong and inclusive India.

Friends,

During the last five years, on one hand, the country has been working rapidly for the Next Generation Infrastructure while on the other hand the Forest Cover is also growing in India. In addition, the number of protected areas in the country has also increased. In 2014, the number of Protected Areas in India was 692, which has now increased to more than 860 in 2019. At the same time, the number of Community Reserves has increased from about 43 in 2014 to now almost 100.

The increase in the number of tigers and protected areas is not merely statistics. It will highly impact tourism and means of employment. I had read somewhere that lakhs of tourists from within the country and abroad used to throng the place just to see the famous tigress ‘Machhli’ of Ranthambore. Therefore, with the protection of tigers, we are also focusing on the creation of environmentally sustainable eco-tourism infrastructure.

Friends,

All the efforts taken by India to protect the environment have made us the Global Front Runner of Climate Action. Before the year 2020, India has already achieved all the targets for Emission Intensity of GDP. India is one of the top countries in the world which is engaged in making its Economy Clean-Fuel-based and Renewable-Energy-based. We are making Waste and Bio-mass an important part of energy security.

Besides, the work on electric mobility, biofuels and smart city are beneficial for the environment. At the same time through the International Solar Alliance (ISA), we are playing an important role in connecting many countries of the world with Solar Power. Now our goal should be: One World, One Sun, and One Grid.

Schemes like Ujjwala and Ujala are making the daily life of the country easier, and are also beneficial to the environment. By providing an LPG connection to every family in the country, we have been successful in protecting the trees from being felled. The campaign of lacing every house, every building and every road with LED bulbs is not only saving electricity but also reducing carbon Emissions. And the electricity bills of the middle class families are also reduced. They have financially benefitted.

Friends,

Today India is recognized as one of the countries of the world that fulfil all the resolutions taken in their interest and the interest of the world. I am confident that India will be leading the world in achieving Poverty Elimination and Sustainable Development Goals. Due to such efforts today, India is identified among the countries of the world that fulfil all the resolutions taken in their interest and the interest of the world.

As we celebrate the numbers today, we have to realize that these majestic animals are facing dire challenges from an ever decreasing and disturbed habitat and illegal trade and traffic. India is committed to doing whatever it can to further animal protection and conservation.

I would request heads of government of the Tiger Range Countries, and bring them together in an Alliance of Global Leaders to erase demand and to firmly curb poaching and illegal trade in Asia. Let me once again congratulate you on this World Tiger Day.

Let us all pledge to create a green and environmentally sustainable country. Let the tiger be that symbol of sustainability.

I would like to tell the people associated with this field that the story which began with ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ and ended with ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ must not stop there. Earlier people from the film industry used to sing ‘Bagon me bahar Hai’; now Suprio ji will sing ‘Baghon me bahar Hai’.

Those efforts which are related to Tiger Conservation should be further expanded and expedited.

With this hope, with the same conviction, once again I congratulate all of you. My best wishes to you all!

Thank you.

(Source: https://pmindia.gov.in)

Address of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the 3rd Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation

Minister for Agriculture & Forests, Royal Government of Bhutan and Chairman, Global Tiger Forum; Distinguished Ministers from Tiger Range Countries; Shri Prakash Javadekar, our Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change; other dignitaries on the dais, delegates from Tiger Range Countries, Ladies and Gentlemen! I am pleased to welcome you all! The tiger has brought all of us together here. This is an important meeting to discuss the conservation of one of the important endangered species. Your very presence is a testimony to the importance your country attaches to this “umbrella” species.

As we all know, the tiger is an apex consumer in the ecological pyramid and food chain. It requires a large amount of prey, supported by good forests. Therefore, by protecting the tiger, we protect the entire ecosystem and the ecological services, which are equally crucial for the well-being of human beings.

In fact, the benefits from tiger conservation are enormous but intangible. We cannot quantify this in economic terms. Putting a price tag on nature is difficult. Since Mother Nature has bestowed them for its own conservation, it becomes our bounden duty to conserve them. In India, the tiger is much more than just a wild animal. In our mythology, the mother Goddess, who is the embodiment of Mother Nature, is depicted sitting on a tiger. In fact, most of our Gods and Goddesses are associated with some animal, tree or river. In fact sometimes these animals are put on the same pedestal as Gods and Goddesses. No wonder the tiger is also our National Animal. I am sure, other Tiger Range Countries would have some cultural legacy associated with tigers.

Friends! Species belonging to the animal kingdom, usually do not act to their disadvantage. However, human beings are an exception. Our compulsions and cravings, our needs and greed, have led to shrinkage of natural habitat and destruction of ecosystems. Here, I recall the famous words of Gautam Buddha who said: “the forest is a peculiar organism of unlimited kindness. It affords protection to all beings, offering shade even to the axe-man who destroys it.”

I appreciate the good efforts made by the Tiger Range Countries in conserving tigers. I compliment you all for this great ongoing effort. I also appreciate the efforts through “Global Tiger Initiative” and the Council. I must mention the great effort made by Mr. Vladimir Putin in convening the tiger summit in 2010. The Global Tiger Recovery Programme was an important outcome of these efforts.

I also appreciate the initiatives of Mr. Dorji, the Chairman of the Global Tiger Forum.

However, from what I have been told it appears that tiger habitats have reduced drastically across Tiger Range Countries. The situation has been aggravated further by the ongoing trafficking in body parts and derivatives of this magnificent animal. In India too, we have been facing the challenge of poaching and disruption in their ecosystems. The positive side for us in India is that majority of the population respects trees, animals, forests, rivers and other elements of nature like the sun and the moon. We consider the earth as our mother. Our scriptures encourage us to treat the entire universe as one.

Vasudaivkutumbkam and lokhah samasthah sukhinoubhavanthu is our philosophy for peace and prosperity of everyone — including the ecosystem :

Om gau shanti rantariksh shanti; prithvi shanti rapah shantiraoushaday shanti | vanaspataya shanti|

Friends! Forests are inseparable from wild animals. Both are mutually complementary. Destruction of one leads to destruction of the other. This is an important cause of climate change which is now affecting us adversely in many ways. This is a global phenomenon which all of us are grappling with. As a solution, we have committed to work towards country specific mitigation strategies.

In my view, for the Tiger Range Countries, a viable tiger population undoubtedly symbolises a mitigation strategy for climate change. This will create a huge carbon sink in the form of tiger bearing forests. Thus, conservation of tiger will go a long way in ensuring a good future for ourselves and our coming generations. India has a long standing and successful track record of protecting its tigers. We launched “Project Tiger” in 1973. Its coverage has increased considerably from the initial 9 Tiger Reserves to 49 at present. Tiger conservation is a collective responsibility of the Government of India and the States.

I also complement our State governments for their efforts. But the efforts of Government cannot succeed unless they are supported by the people. Our cultural legacy which encourages compassion and co- existence has played an important role in the success of Project Tiger. Due to such collective efforts, there has been a 30% rise in the number of tigers. It has gone up from 1706 in 2010 to 2226 in 2014. Our National Tiger Conservation Authority has taken many landmark initiatives. Use of modern technology, including e-eye, infrared and thermal imaging cameras on a 24×7 basis is being promoted for surveillance against poaching in sensitive Tiger Reserves. Several protocols for smart patrolling and tiger monitoring have been evolved. Radio telemetry is also being promoted to monitor tigers. A national repository of tiger camera trap photo database is also being created. To do all this, we have, this year, doubled our allocation for tiger conservation. We have increased it from INR185 crore to INR380 crore; which is INR3.8 billion.

I strongly believe that tiger conservation, or conservation of nature, is not a drag on development. Both can happen in a mutually complementary manner. All we need is to re-orient our strategy by factoring in the concerns of the tiger in sectors where tiger conservation is not the goal. This is a difficult task but can be achieved. Our genius lies in “smartly” integrating the tiger and wildlife safeguards in various infrastructures at the landscape level. This essentially takes us to the much needed “Smart Green Infrastructure”, while adopting a landscape approach. The landscape approach would also help us to involve business groups through corporate social responsibility for various initiatives towards tiger conservation. In the Indian context, we intend to achieve this through the Tiger Conservation Plans.

Considering the ecosystem value of tiger conservation areas, we need to consider them as “Natural Capital.” Our institutions have done an economic valuation of a few Tiger Reserves. This study has highlighted the fact that besides conserving the tiger, these reserves also provide a range of economic, social, cultural and spiritual benefits. These are known as ecosystem services. Thus, we need to define conservation as a means to achieve development, rather than considering it to be anti-growth. This calls for factoring in the value of the ecosystem in the economic arithmetic of development and growth.

Friends! I am confident that we can achieve a framework to foster proactive engagement of industry for conservation. The natural capital denoting the stock of natural ecosystems should be treated at par with capital goods. Our economy needs to be viewed as a subset of a larger economy of natural resources and ecosystem services which sustain us.

As a country having more than 70% of the global tiger population, India is committed to complement the initiatives of other Tiger Range Countries. We have bilateral arrangements with China, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. We hope to continue our efforts to address issues of mutual concern for the tiger.

A major threat to the tiger is the demand for its body parts and derivatives. The forest and its wild denizens are an open treasury which cannot be locked up. It is painful to learn about trafficking of body parts and derivatives of tigers and other big cats. We need to collaborate at the highest levels of Government to address this serious issue. India along with several Tiger Range Countries is a founder member of the Global Tiger Forum, which is headquartered in New Delhi. This is the only inter- governmental organisation of its kind. It is now working closely with the Global Tiger Initiative Council.

As a host country, I assure you of our fullest support. We will also be happy to support capacity building of wildlife personnel at the Wildlife Institute of India. The Tiger Range Countries are signatories to other international conventions to address international trade on endangered species. In this regard, I want to give you another good news. We are moving towards formally adopting the statute of South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN).

At the end, I would like to emphasize that conservation of tigers is not a choice. It is an imperative. I would also like to emphasize that regional co- operation is essential for combating wildlife crime. In this conference, let us resolve to work together to protect the tiger and its space. India is committed to engage with all Tiger Range Countries for this purpose. I appreciate your presence and wish this conference all success!