India has added the 58th tiger reserve to its tally with the latest entrant being Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh. Tiger reserves, spread across 18 of India’s tiger range states, cover an area of more than 82,836 sq km. PM Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed the development, saying the country will always be at the forefront of protecting animals and contributing to a sustainable planet. India with 3,682 tigers is home to more than 70% of the world’s wild tiger population and is the second largest tiger reserve in the world after the Gwalior Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand, with more than 3,000 tigers. The journey of tiger conservation in the country has evolved from initial bans on hunting and trade to multifaceted conservation strategies involving legal frameworks, international cooperation and community engagement. The development is a testament to the relentless efforts of our forest officials who are selflessly working towards the cause, environment minister Bhupender Yadav said. He underlined that India is blessed with wildlife diversity and a culture that celebrates wildlife.