March 03, New Delhi – Prime Minister Narendra Modi today reaffirmed the government’s commitment to wildlife conservation on World Wildlife Day.
The Prime Minister stated that World Wildlife Day is about celebrating the incredible faunal diversity that enriches the planet and sustains ecosystems. He said it is a day to acknowledge everyone working towards wildlife protection and to reaffirm commitment to conservation, sustainable practices, and protecting habitats so that wildlife continues to thrive.
He noted that India cherishes being home to some of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife. He highlighted that India is home to over 70 per cent of the world’s tiger population, has the largest population of the one-horned rhino, and the maximum number of Asiatic elephants. He further stated that India is the only place in the world where the majestic Asiatic lion thrives.
The Prime Minister underlined that the government has undertaken numerous efforts for wildlife protection. These include the setting up of the International Big Cat Alliance as an exceptional forum to share best practices with fellow nations. Other efforts include initiatives aimed at protecting the Great Indian Bustard, Gharial, and Sloth Bear, as well as the translocation of cheetahs.
Emphasising India’s cultural ethos, the Prime Minister said that scriptures pray for the welfare of all living beings and inspire sensitivity towards wildlife along with conservation. He shared a Sanskrit Subhashitam on the occasion which says:
“निर्वनो वध्यते व्याघ्रो निर्व्याघ्रं छिद्यते वनम्। तस्माद् व्याघ्रो वनं रक्षेद् वनं व्याघ्रं च पालयेत्॥”
The Subhashitam conveys that without forests, tigers perish; and without tigers, forests are destroyed. Therefore, the tiger protects the forest and the forest protects the tiger, underscoring the deep interdependence of nature.
In a series of posts on X, the Prime Minister said, “World Wildlife Day is about celebrating the incredible faunal diversity that enriches our planet and sustains our ecosystems. It is a day to acknowledge everyone working towards wildlife protection. We reaffirm our commitment to conservation, sustainable practices and protecting habitats so that our wildlife continues to thrive.”
He further wrote on X, “We in India cherish the fact that we are home to some of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife. We are home to over 70% of the world’s tiger population. We have the largest population of the one-horned rhino, the maximum Asiatic elephants. India is the only place in the world where the majestic Asiatic lion thrives.”
“The NDA Government has undertaken numerous efforts for wildlife protection. This includes the setting up of the International Big Cat Alliance, an exceptional forum to share best practices with fellow nations. Other efforts include those aimed at protecting the Great Indian Bustard, Gharial, Sloth Bear and translocation of cheetahs,” he added.