The New Delhi Resolution on Tiger Conservation was adopted by the 3rd Asian Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation that concluded here today.Speaking at the conclusion of the Conference, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar, said that there is a need to align development and tiger conservation through participation of locals and other stakeholders.“We believe in partnership with local communities because they are the real protectors”, Javadekar said. He added that leveraging funding and technical support from international organisations through multilateral and bilateral channels is also important.
The Minister said that the salient features of the Resolution include: recovery of tiger in low density protected areas by three Rs – Restoration, Reintroduction and Rehabilitation, acceleration of the implementation of Global Tiger Recovery Programme, which includes habitat improvement and anti-poaching surveillance through modern technology, align development and tiger conservation by ensuring intensive participation of locals and other stakeholders, promotion of tiger habitats to provide ecosystem service, economic growth and addressing climate change and strengthening cooperation to combat wildlife crime.He pointed out that some of the thoughts expressed by the Prime Minister that guided the deliberations during the Conference include: that conservation of tiger 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 tigers as “natural capital”; the benefits of tiger conservation are enormous, but intangible and regional cooperation is essential for combating wildlife crime.Javadekar also said that the deliberations at the Conference were intense and thought-provoking.
The three-day Conference was attended by Ministers from 13 Tiger Range Countries.This is the third conclave, with the earlier ones being held at Hua Hin, Thailand (2010) and Thimpu, Bhutan (2012), besides the Tiger Summit at St Petersburg in 2010. The Conference was attended by – Minister of Environment and Forests, Bangladesh, Mr. Anwar Hossain Monju, Vice Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Cambodia, Dr Sokhun TY, Vice Minister, State Forestry Administration, China, Mr Peng Youdong, Vice Minister, Ministry of Natural Resource & Environment, Lao PDR, Mr Senebouttalath Chansone, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Natural Resource & Environment, Malaysia, Mr Samuri Hamim, Ministry of Forest & Soil Conservation, Nepal, Mr Agni Prasad Sapkota, head of Russian delegation, President Assistant, head of the Control Department, Presidential Executive Office, Russia, Mr Artem Sidorov, Minister from Kyrgyz Republic, Mr Nurlan Jumaev and Minister from Indonesia, Mr Dalton Sembiring. The Minister of Agriculture and Forests, Royal Government of Bhutan, Mr Lyonpo Yeshye Dorji chaired the conference. Mr. Dorji appealed to the non-member countries to join the Global Tiger Forum (GTF) to strengthen it. Ministers from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Rajasthan also participated in the Conference. The Conference was also attended by a large number of professionals, international experts and scientists.