Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav on Wednesday said the state’s tiger population is expected to cross 1,000 in the next tiger census, reflecting the success of wildlife conservation efforts.
Speaking at the state-level International Tiger Day programme in Bhopal, the chief minister said Madhya Pradesh continues to lead the country in tiger conservation. He said the tiger population has grown from double digits more than 50 years ago to 785 in the 2022 census. He expressed confidence that the next census would record more than 1,000 tigers.
Dr. Yadav said the state government is committed to protecting forests and wildlife through public participation. He said conservation work also covers cheetahs, gharials, elephants and wild buffaloes.
During the programme, the chief minister launched books on butterflies, grass species, wildlife rescue and biodiversity. He also unveiled the logos of Ratapani Tiger Reserve and Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve. A short film on barasingha reintroduction in Satpura Tiger Reserve was screened.
CM honoured Padma Shri awardees Dr. Narayan Vyas and Mohan Nagar, along with forest staff and local committees for their contribution to wildlife conservation.
Forest officials said nearly 2.8 million tourists visit Madhya Pradesh’s wildlife parks every year, including around 100,000 international visitors. They said conservation work is continuing across all nine tiger reserves in the state.
