Uttarakhand best in tiger conservation: Minister

The Uttarakhand government on Monday said that with 442 tigers, the state stands best in the country in terms of conservation of big cats.

There are 526 tigers in Madhya Pradesh, 524 in Karnataka and 442 in Uttarakhand but when the state's tiger population figure is viewed alongside its smaller size, the state stands on top of the list, Forest Minister Harak Singh Rawat said.

"There are 442 tigers in Uttarakhand according to 2018 census. Given the size of the state, the ratio makes it the best in the country in terms of tiger conservation," Rawat said while participating in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on International Tiger Day.

Modi on Monday released the All India Tiger Estimation Report 2018 and said the country has emerged as of one of the biggest and safest habitats for tigers in the world.

The tiger population in the country has grown from 1,411 in 2006 to 2,967 in 2019, according to the report.

There are 250 tigers in Corbett Tiger division, which is the highest in any tiger division in the country, a release quoting Rawat said.

Moreover, tigers are found in all 13 districts of Uttarakhand which makes it unique among the rest of the states in the country, he said.

Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat too expressed happiness at the rising population of tigers in the state.

He said Uttarakhand is committed to the conservation of its bio diversity, environment and wildlife.

The chief minister said according to the All India Tiger Estimation Report 2018, Uttarakhand had 227 tigers in 2010, which rose to 340 in 2014 and to 442 in 2018.

He said the state has contributed significantly to India achieving its target of doubling its tiger population by 2022 in the St Petersburg declaration four years in advance.