Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday flagged off motorcycles aimed at enhancing the mobility of frontline forest staff in Gujarat during his visit to Gir National Park.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) shared on X, “During his visit to Gir National Park, PM Narendra Modi flagged off motorcycles for enhanced mobility of frontline forest staff. He also interacted with field-level functionaries, which included frontline staff, eco-guides, and trackers.”

Earlier in the day, PM Modi chaired the 7th meeting of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) and released the findings of India’s first-ever riverine dolphin estimation. The study, which covered 28 rivers across eight states, recorded an estimated 6,327 dolphins. According to the PMO, the survey involved 3,150 mandays and spanned over 8,500 kilometers, with Uttar Pradesh reporting the highest dolphin population, followed by Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam.

During the NBWL meeting, the board reviewed key wildlife conservation initiatives, including the establishment of new protected areas and species-specific flagship programs such as Project Tiger, Project Elephant, and Project Snow Leopard. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for increased awareness about dolphin conservation, advocating for the involvement of local communities and schoolchildren through exposure visits to dolphin habitats.

PM Modi also stressed the importance of research and documentation of medicinal plants in forest areas, particularly for their role in animal health management. He suggested promoting plant-based medicinal systems for global application in animal healthcare.

Additionally, the Prime Minister called for strengthened cooperation under the United Nations Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS). He later interacted with field-level functionaries at Gir, including eco-guides, trackers, and frontline forest staff, recognizing their contribution to wildlife conservation.

(Inputs from ANI)