India’s tiger population has risen dramatically in the past seven years despite widespread poaching, smuggling and diminishing habitats, according to latest figures.
India’s Environment Ministry says that there are now 2,226 tigers nationwide compared with a historic low of 1,411 in 2008, Indian news channel NDTV reported.
Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar said India is now home to about 70% of the world’s tigers.
The news of the big cats’ booming population comes amid reports of a record number of tiger deaths between 2010 and 2014.
The previous tiger census in 2010 had pegged the total number at 1,706.
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Write to Rishi Iyengar at rishi.iyengar@timeasia.com