Home to India's 17% of Big cats, Satpura Tiger Reserve gets NatWest honour

Bhopal:Madhya Pradesh has added another feather in its cap vis-à-vis wildlife conservation as the 2,130 sq-km Satpura Tiger Reserve – home to 17 per cent of the country’s big cat population and 12 per cent of the carnivore’s habitat – received the NatWest Group Earth Heroes Award in the Earth Guardian category for best management, official sources said on Wednesday.Forest Minister Vijay Shah heartily congratulated the staff.

The place has been included in the potential list of World Heritage. Twenty-six species of flora found in the Himalayan region and 42 seen in the Nilgiri jungles are also present abundantly in the Satpura woods.

On the occassion of International Tigers Day, Primer Minister Narendra Modi took to twitter and tweeted"greetings to wildlife lovers, especially those who are passionate about tiger conservation. Home to over 70% of the tiger population globally, we reiterate our commitment to ensuring safe habitats for our tigers and nurturing tiger-friendly eco-systems."

"India is home to 51 tiger reserves spread across 18 states. The last tiger census of 2018 showed a rise in the tiger population. India achieved the target of doubling of tiger population 4 years ahead of schedule of the St. Petersburg Declaration on tiger Conservation."

"India’s strategy of tiger conservation attaches topmost importance to involving local communities. We are also inspired by our centuries old ethos of living in harmony with all flora and fauna with whom we share our great planet"(UNI)