Madhav National Park in MP India’s 58th tiger reserve now

NEW DELHI: India has added the 58th tiger reserve to its tally with the latest entrant being Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh. The expansion of such reserves underscores the country’s commitment to provide extensive and diverse habitats for the big cats.

Tiger reserves, spread across 18 of India’s tiger range states, cover an area of more than 82,836 sq km. Such reserves are constituted using a core/buffer method to promote tiger conservation through multiple efforts on the ground, including protecting habitats of the big cats. The Madhav Tiger Reserve has become the ninth tiger reserve of Madhya Pradesh, the highest in any state.

PM Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed the development, saying the country will always be at the forefront of protecting animals and contributing to a sustainable planet. He underlined that India is blessed with wildlife diversity and a culture that celebrates wildlife.

“With historic emphasis laid on restoring the ecological diversity on planet Earth by PM Narendra Modi, India continues to make great strides in environmental protection and wildlife conservation... The development is a testament to the relentless efforts of our forest officials who are selflessly working towards the cause,” environment minister Bhupender Yadav said.

India with 3,682 tigers is home to more than 70% of the world’s wild tiger population. The journey of tiger conservation in the country has evolved from initial bans on hunting and trade to multifaceted conservation strategies involving legal frameworks, international cooperation and community engagement.

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