Bhupender Yadav inaugurates National Workshop on Tiger Re-introduction at Alwar, Rajasthan

Bhupender Yadav yesterday inaugurated the National Workshop on "Tiger Re-introduction: Opportunities & Challenges" at Alwar, Rajasthan, and released three publications on tiger conservation and Project Cheetah. 

Organised by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in collaboration with the Government of Rajasthan, the workshop brought together field directors, Chief Wildlife Wardens and wildlife experts from across India's tiger landscapes to deliberate on science-based strategies for tiger re-introduction and active management.

Addressing the workshop, organised to mark 18 years of tiger re-introduction in the Sariska Tiger Reserve, the Minister said tiger conservation is not merely about protecting a single species, but about conserving forests, watersheds and the rich biodiversity that shares the tiger's habitat.

Describing the Sariska tiger reintroduction programme as a historic milestone in wildlife conservation, Shri Yadav said it represents the world's first successful scientific reintroduction of tigers into a landscape where the species had become locally extinct. He said the programme has emerged as a global example of successful species restoration through scientific management, dedicated conservation efforts and community participation.

The Minister said Sariska has witnessed remarkable recovery from a situation of local extinction in 2005 to supporting 56 tigers today. He said Sariska today serves as a global example of successful species restoration and offers valuable lessons for future conservation initiatives.

Highlighting the country's achievements in tiger conservation, the Minister said the number of tiger reserves has increased from 46 to 58 over the past decade. He also noted that India has successfully achieved the St. Petersburg Declaration target of doubling its wild tiger population by 2022.