Page 70 - NIS English 1-15 June, 2026

Cover Story

Years
of Vikas Yatra

In the country, conservation efforts
for key species are being undertaken
through initiatives such as Project Tiger,
Project Elephant, Project Lion, Project
Snow Leopard, and Project Dolphin.
Conservation actions focused on 24
endangered species—including marine
turtles—are being implemented.

n During the 7th meeting of the National Board for
Wildlife, a new initiative was approved to conserve
Gharials and address the threats facing their
survival. The Gharial has now been included in the
‘Species Recovery Programme’ under the Central
Government’s ‘Integrated Development of Wildlife
Habitats’ scheme.

n The Manas–Pobitora–Nameri–Kaziranga–Dibru
Saikhowa wildlife circuit has been developed.

n A wildlife circuit has been developed across the
Initiatives for Wildlife Panna–Mukundpur–Sanjay Dubri–Bandhavgarh–
1,134 protected areas dedicated to the
Kanha–Mukki–Pench landscape. n
safety, conservation, and development
of wildlife in the country in 2025, up
from 921 in 2020. We take pride in the fact that
India is home to some of the

The number of Tiger Reserves in the country world’s most magnificent wildlife.
reached 58 in 2025, compared to 48 in 2014. We harbor more than 70% of the
The number of Elephant Reserves increased world’s tiger population. We also
from 31 to 33 between 2020 and 2025. possess the largest population of

one-horned rhinoceroses and the
highest number of Asian
elephants. India is the only place

in the world where the ‘King of
the Jungle’—the Asiatic Lion—is
thriving.

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

68 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || June 1-15, 2026