Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reaffirmed India’s commitment to wildlife conservation and sustainable practices on the occasion of World Wildlife Day, highlighting the country’s rich biodiversity and ongoing efforts to protect endangered species.
In a series of posts on X, the Prime Minister said the day is an opportunity to celebrate the planet’s extraordinary faunal diversity and acknowledge the efforts of those working towards wildlife protection.
“World Wildlife Day is about celebrating the incredible faunal diversity that enriches our planet and sustains our ecosystems. It is a day to acknowledge everyone working towards wildlife protection. We reaffirm our commitment to conservation, sustainable practices and protecting habitats so that our wildlife continues to thrive,” he said.
Emphasising India’s ecological significance, PM Modi noted that the country is home to over 70 per cent of the world’s tiger population, the largest population of the one-horned rhinoceros, and the highest number of Asiatic elephants. He also pointed out that India is the only country where the Asiatic lion continues to thrive in the wild.
“We in India cherish the fact that we are home to some of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife,” the Prime Minister said.
Highlighting conservation measures undertaken by the NDA government, PM Modi referred to the establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance as a platform for sharing best practices with other nations.
He also cited targeted initiatives for the protection of species such as the Great Indian Bustard, Gharial and Sloth Bear, along with the translocation of cheetahs as part of broader conservation efforts.
Underscoring India’s cultural ethos of harmony with nature, the Prime Minister shared a Sanskrit Subhashitam: “निर्वनो वध्यते व्याघ्रो निर्व्याघ्रं छिद्यते वनम्। तस्माद् व्याघ्रो वनं रक्षेद् वनं व्याघ्रं च पालयेत्॥”
Explaining its meaning, he said the verse conveys that without forests, tigers perish, and without tigers, forests are destroyed – highlighting the deep interdependence between species and ecosystems.
The Prime Minister reiterated that India’s traditions and scriptures promote the welfare of all living beings and inspire sensitivity towards wildlife conservation.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also shared a post on X on the occasion of World Wildlife Day. He said, “On World Wildlife Day, let us reaffirm Bharat’s timeless ethos of living in harmony with nature. From the majestic tiger to the smallest species, every life form sustains our ecological balance. May this day strengthen our resolve to protect and preserve wildlife for generations to come.”
World Wildlife Day is observed annually to raise awareness about the need to conserve the world’s flora and fauna and to strengthen global action for environmental sustainability.
