3rd Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation 12 – 14 April, 2016
The 3rd Asia Ministerial Conference on tiger conservation was inaugurated by Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India at Vigyan Bhavan , New Delhi on 12 April, 2016.
This 3 day Conference of Ministers from 13 tiger range countries is the third such conclave, and the earlier ones were held at Hua Hin, Thailand (2010) and Thimpu, Bhutan (2012), apart from a Tiger Summit at St Petersburg in 2010.
The moment was historic, as it was after several decades , the PM of India , which is home to more than 70% of global tiger population with a long standing successful tiger track record , inaugurated an international tiger meet with an inspirational address which was widely applauded , while setting the tone for deliberations.
The PM stated “Tiger Conservation is not a choice. It is an imperative”.
Conservation of nature or tiger is “not a drag” on development.
There is a need to consider them as “natural capital”.
“Benefits of tiger conservation are enormous but intangible”.
He also emphasized that “Regional co-operation is essential for combatting wildlife crime”.
The PM also distributed awards to Kanha, Periyar, Parambikulam, Kaziranga and Satpura Tiger reserves for outstanding work.
Shri Prakash Javadekar, Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change stated “Three new tiger reserves have been created and the budgetary allocation have been stepped upto 380 crores. SOP for orphaned wild tiger cubs has been issued apart from strengthening field protection. He also added that “there will be zero tolerance against wildlife crime”
Mr Yeshey Dorji, Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Royal Government of Bhutan, and Chairman, Global Tiger Forum, thanked “the Government of India for hosting the event and solicited its support for strengthening the global tiger forum (GTF) while appealing to non member countries for joining”
Apart from 13 tiger range countries, the Conference is being attended by a large number of field professionals, International experts, Scientists and like-minded organisations.
The Conference took stock of the Global Tiger Recovery Programme launched earlier by the Global Tiger Initiative and now implemented by the Global Tiger Forum under the auspices of the newly constituted Global Tiger Initiative Council.
The Conference was hosted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climatic Change, in collaboration with Global Tiger Forum , Wildlife Conservation Trust , WWF- India.
Role Of GTIC and GTF mandated by TRCs in the New Delhi Resolution on Tiger Conservation
Acknowledging and appreciating the contribution of different partners during the implementation of the GTRP and NTRPs, we urge the Global Tiger Forum and the Global Tiger Initiative Council to continue their role in coordination, technical assistance, and incremental resource mobilisation toward achievement of this Resolution.
