Bhutan Tiger Conservation Summit Announces $1 Billion Raise

Bhutan Tiger Conservation Summit Announces $1 Billion Raise

Rashidul Islam: [২] The Thirteen Tiger Nation has set a target of raising US$1 billion to bridge the huge budget gap of US$137 million annually. WWF chief Stuart Chapman made the announcement at the first Sustainable Tiger Funding Conference at the Royal Academy of Paro in Bhutan. BBC

[৩] The launch of a new fund to conserve tiger landscapes has been needed for more than 10 years.To maintain biodiversity, protecting forests as tiger habitats is critical to ensuring the overall health of the world, reducing carbon emissions and providing resources to more than 100 million people.

[৪] Stuart Chapman said the funding would be divided between tiger countries based on opportunity, political will, country landscape context and ambition to continue tiger funding.

[৫] Under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck of Bhutan and the Tiger Conservation Coalition, the conference is hosted by the Government of Bhutan.

[৬] The alliance includes a number of leading conservation organisations, including the Environmental Investigation Agency, Fauna and Flora International, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Natural State, Panthera, TRAFFIC, United Nations Development Programme, Wildlife Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund and the Zoological Society of London.

[৭] At the conference, the Queen of Bhutan said, “It is truly heartbreaking that tigers are now endangered.” If our generation witnesses the extinction of tigers, then we have failed. If we allow biodiversity to decline, it means we have lost our values. If we cannot sustain ecosystems, we have lost the essence of life. The purpose of this conference is to raise significant resources for tiger landscapes through innovative financing mechanisms.

[৮] 10 of the 13 tiger countries are participating in the conference.