India Wants to Grow Tiger Population by 35% to Protect Forests, Boost Economy

The striped cats are key to conserving India’s biodiversity
Study shows they also act as engines of economic growth

WATCH: India is now home to about 75% of the world’s tigers, as Prime Minister Modi invests in their conservation. Here’s why the big cats are also good for the economy.(Source: Quicktake)

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By Vrishti Beniwal

August 19, 2021 at 9:00 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Among Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s myriad options to help revive his economy from a rare contraction brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, “Project Tiger” is definitely among the most unlikely.

The country intends to grow the wild tiger population by 35% to as many as 4,000 in the next decade, which would protect forests while also boosting economic gains from conservation, according to a top official overseeing the nation’s tiger program.