New Initiative to Save Forests and Livelihoods Alongside Tigers: Emphasis on Linking Conservation with Local Employment and Development
New Delhi: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav inaugurated a two-day international workshop in New Delhi on the theme ‘Tiger Landscapes: Conservation, Bioeconomy and Ecotourism as Pillars for Livelihood and Income Generation.’ The event was jointly organized by the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
The focus of the workshop is not merely on increasing tiger numbers, but on preserving the entire forest ecosystems and natural landscapes upon which the tiger's survival depends. Tigers remain safe only when healthy forests, grasslands, rivers, prey species, and wildlife corridors are protected.
The Minister emphasized the need to link tiger conservation with the income and employment of local communities. To achieve this, stress was laid on promoting nature-based solutions, community participation, and eco-friendly tourism. He also highlighted the importance of integrating local and traditional knowledge into conservation policies.
MoU signed between IBCA and ADB
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the IBCA and the ADB during the event. The agreement aims to enhance financial cooperation for the conservation of wildlife and natural areas, capacity building, knowledge sharing, and environmental protection.
Representatives from several countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Malaysia, Nepal, and Vietnam, participated in the workshop.