PM reaffirms commitment to wildlife conservation on world wildlife day

New Delhi, Mar 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reaffirmed India’s commitment to wildlife conservation on the occasion of World Wildlife Day, highlighting the country’s rich biodiversity and ongoing protection efforts.

In a series of posts on X, the Prime Minister said the day celebrates the planet’s incredible faunal diversity and recognises the efforts of those working towards wildlife protection. He stressed the need to strengthen conservation, promote sustainable practices and safeguard natural habitats to ensure wildlife continues to thrive.

Highlighting India’s achievements, the Prime Minister noted that the country is home to over 70 per cent of the world’s tiger population, has the largest number of one-horned rhinoceroses and Asiatic elephants, and is the only habitat of the Asiatic lion.

He said the government has undertaken several initiatives for wildlife protection, including the launch of the International Big Cat Alliance to promote global cooperation and share best practices. Efforts are also underway to protect endangered species such as the Great Indian Bustard, Gharial and Sloth Bear, along with the translocation of cheetahs.

Emphasising India’s cultural traditions, the Prime Minister shared a Sanskrit subhashitam that underlines the interdependence between forests and wildlife. The verse conveys that without forests, tigers cannot survive, and without tigers, forests decline — highlighting the delicate balance of nature.