PM credits Soliga tribe for increasing tiger population in BRT Tiger Reserve in Karnataka

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that because of the Soliga tribe, the tiger population in the BRT Tiger Reserve of Chamarajanagar district in Karnataka is increasing.

In his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast, Modi called for the celebration of World Wildlife Day at the beginning of next month.

"I would also like to thank my tribal brothers and sisters because they actively participate in work related to wildlife protection. The population of tigers has risen continuously in Karnataka's BRT Tiger Reserve," the PM said.

"A lot of credit for this goes to the Soliga tribe, who worship the tiger. Owing to them, there is almost no man-animal conflict in this area," the PM added.

Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve spread over 570 sqkm forest area is home to over 40 tigers and over 280 species of rare birds. The Soliga are an indigenous tribe of people, who live in the Biligiri Rangana (BR) Hills of the Chamarajanagar in Karnataka and some parts in Erode district of Tamil Nadu.

Terming wild animals as deeply embedded in our history and culture, the PM said many animals were also observed as the vehicles of our Gods and Goddesses.

"We have many cultural dances like Huli Vesha of Karnataka, Pooli of Tamil Nadu and Pulikali of Kerala, which are associated with nature and wildlife. I would also like to thank my tribal brothers and sisters because they actively participate in work related to wildlife protection," he said.

“Many tribes in central India worship Bagheshwar. There is a tradition of worshipping Waghoba in Maharashtra. Lord Ayyappa also has a very deep connection with the tiger. Bonbibi, whose Vaahan is the tiger, is worshipped in Sundarbans,” the PM said.

The PM asked people if they were aware of the similarity between the Asiatic lion, hangul, pygmy hog and lion-tailed macaque.

"The answer is that all of these are not found anywhere else in the world. They are found only in our country. Indeed, we have a very vibrant ecosystem of flora and fauna," he said.