India does not advocate a conflict between ecology and economy but gives importance to co-existence between the two, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on April 9 in poll-bound Karnataka where he went on a wildlife safari and inaugurated a programme to commemorate the 50 years of the Tiger Project in the country. The success of the Tiger Project was a matter of pride for not just India but the entire world, he said.

Although Modi shied clear of making any political attacks during his programme in Karnataka, he made his presence felt in the state by visiting the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Modi engaged in wildlife sightseeing and photography before he visited Mysuru University and released a commemorative coin on the completion of 50 years of Project Tiger. He also launched the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA).

As per the status of Tigers released by Modi in Mysuru, the tiger population in the country has escalated from 2226 in 2014 to 3167 in 2022.

“Wildlife enthusiasts across the globe wonder how in several tiger range countries the population of tigers is either stable or falling, but in India it is increasing at a fast pace,” Modi said. This was because of India’s “natural urge” towards bio-diversity and environment in its culture, tradition and society, he added.

The Tiger Project was started by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on April 1, 1973, a fact Congress leaders have underlined on several occasions over the last week. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took a dig at Modi’s visit to Bandipur. “Today at Bandipur the PM will take full credit for Project Tiger that was launched 50 years ago. He will do much tamasha while he dismantles all laws enacted to protect environment, forest, wildlife & tribals living in forest areas. Headlines he will grab, but reality is opposite,” he tweeted.

Another Congress leader and president of the Indian Youth Congress, Srinivas BV released a short video on Twitter to outline his party’s contribution to the conservation of tigers.

“PM Modi is in Bandipur Tiger Reserve to see another glimpse of what Congress has done in 70 years. The Tiger Project, which was launched by Indira ji 50 years ago, has worked for tiger conservation in India; otherwise, where would Modi ji go today for a PR photoshoot?” tweeted Srinivas. BJP leaders also used the occasion to applaud the Modi government on wildlife conservation. Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for leading from the front for wildlife and environment conservation. “India’s wildlife has flourished under Modi government like never before,” he said.

Tejasvi Surya, Bengaluru South MP and national president of the BJP Yuva Morcha said tiger conservation has witnessed a sharp increase under the BJP government.

“India is a country where protecting nature is part of culture. This is why it has many unique achievements in wildlife conservation.” On the fifty years of the Tiger Project, Modi said that India has not only saved the tiger but has also given it an excellent ecosystem to flourish.