India, Sept. 10 -- The tiger population in Chhattisgarh has doubled in the last three years, rising from 17 in 2022 to 35 in April 2025 survey, chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai said on Tuesday.

While chairing the 15th meeting of the State Wildlife Welfare Board, Sai said wildlife conservation was among the government's top priorities.

"Chhattisgarh is rich in forest wealth and wildlife. The increase in tiger numbers is evidence of effective conservation, and now similar focus will be directed towards other species," he said. He suggested developing sites like Neemgaon in Jashpur, known for migratory birds, into dedicated conservation zones to promote tourism and employment.

Forest and climate change minister Kedar Kashyap said the proposa...