Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi paid a 3-day visit to Gujarat from March 1 to March 03, 2025 focusing on wildlife conservation.
- During his visit, he inaugurated Vantara, a 3,000-acre animal rescue and rehabilitation center in Jamnagar, Gujarat and chaired the 7th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) at Gir National Park, Gujarat.
- He also visited Somnath Temple, Gujarat offered prayers and chaired a meeting of the Shree Somnath Trust.
Highlights of the Visit:
PM Modi inaugurates wildlife rehabilitation & rescue center – ‘Vantara’
i.During the visit, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated ‘Vantara’ that houses over 1.5 lakh rescued and endangered animals.
- It is the world’s largest animal rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation centre.
ii.The center was established by Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Reliance Industries Limited(RIL) and the Reliance Foundation.
iii.The centre is equipped with an Advanced Multi-Specialty Wildlife Hospital, featuring Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI), Computed Tomography(CT) scans, Intensive Care Units(ICUs), and a specialised Neonatal ICU.
iv.It has the world’s largest hospital for elephants features hydrotherapy pools and jacuzzis designed to treat elephants suffering from arthritis and foot ailments.
v.The centre’s conservation programmes are focused on the Asiatic lion, one-horned rhinoceros and snow leopard.
PM Narendra Modi chairs 7th meeting of NBWL:
During the visit, PM Modi chaired the 7th meeting of NBWL at the Gir National Park in Junagadh, Gujarat focusing on strengthening conservation measures for wildlife.
- The NBWL reviewed government initiatives like Project Tiger, Project Elephant, and Project Snow Leopard.
Significant Announcements by PM Narendra Modi:
i.PM Narendra Modi announced the 16th Asiatic Lion Population Estimation to be conducted in May 2025.
ii.He laid the foundation for the National Referral Centre for Wildlife in Junagadh, aiming to manage wildlife health and diseases.
iii.Expansion of Cheetah introduction to Gandhisagar Sanctuary (Madhya Pradesh) and Banni Grasslands (Gujarat) was confirmed.
iv.A new Project for Gharials was launched, focusing on their conservation and the National Great Indian Bustard Conservation Action Plan was unveiled.
v.He announced a setting up of Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Human-Wildlife Conflict Management at Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History(SACON), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (TN) focusing on technological advancements for conflict mitigation, including advanced tracking gadgets and surveillance systems.
vi.On the occasion of World Wildlife Day (WWD) March 3, 2025, PM Narendra Modi reviewed ‘Project Lion’, a Rs. 2,927 crore initiative aimed at the conservation of Asiatic lions in Gujarat’s Gir region.
- The project includes habitat management, development of veterinary facilities, and the establishment of alternative habitats like the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat.
vii.He released the report of the first-ever riverine dolphin estimation conducted in the country, which estimated a total of 6,327 dolphins.
viii.Project Gharial, the Great Indian Bustard Conservation Plan, and the Tiger Conservation outside Reserves initiative have all been launched to protect and conserve endangered species.
- These efforts aim to safeguard critical habitats, promote sustainable ecosystems, and ensure the survival of these iconic species in the wild.
ix. He suggested engagement of the Wildlife Institute of India(WII) with the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) to address the challenge of human-wildlife conflict.
Note: In the Union Budget 2025-26, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has been allocated Rs.3,412.82 crores, a 9% increase from the previous year, for wildlife conservation and environmental protection activities.
About National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):
It is constituted by the Government of India(GoI) under Section 5A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA).
- It is a 47-member committee, headed by the PM and the Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change as vice chairperson.
Chairperson – PM Narendra Modi
Headquarters – New Delhi(Delhi)
Established – 2003
