On the occasion of World Wildlife Day, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Gir National Park in Gujarat, where he chaired the 7th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife. The meeting reviewed India’s significant strides in wildlife conservation, including the creation of protected areas and flagship initiatives such as Project Tiger, Project Elephant, and Project Snow Leopard. Special attention was given to the conservation of dolphins, Asiatic lions, and the establishment of the International Big Cats Alliance.
A key highlight of the meeting was the release of the first-ever riverine dolphin estimation report, which recorded a population of 6,327 dolphins across 28 rivers in eight states. Uttar Pradesh reported the highest numbers. The Prime Minister emphasized raising awareness for dolphin conservation, encouraging local involvement and school visits to dolphin habitats.
In addition to the dolphin report, Modi laid the foundation stone for the National Referral Centre for Wildlife at Junagadh, aimed at improving wildlife health and disease management. He also announced the commencement of the 16th cycle of Asiatic lion population estimation, set for 2025, and discussed lion conservation efforts in the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary.
Addressing the issue of human-wildlife conflict, Modi unveiled plans for a Centre of Excellence at the Wildlife Institute of India in Coimbatore to equip Rapid Response Teams with advanced technology and tools for conflict mitigation. He also recommended using AI and geospatial mapping for managing forest fires and human-animal conflicts.
Other conservation initiatives announced included expanding the cheetah reintroduction program to new areas, launching a tiger conservation scheme outside reserves, and a new Project for Gharial conservation. Modi also introduced the National Great Indian Bustard Conservation Action Plan.
Prime Minister Modi commended the increased role of local communities, especially tribal communities and women, in wildlife preservation. He also encouraged the documentation of traditional knowledge for future conservation strategies.
Following the meeting, Modi went on a safari in Gir, known for its Asiatic lion population, and shared his experiences on social media, urging others to visit and support wildlife conservation efforts. He reiterated India’s commitment to biodiversity preservation, celebrating the rise in populations of tigers, leopards, and rhinos over the past decade.
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