WATCH: PM Modi feeds sugarcane to elephants, interacts with mahouts during his visit to Bandipur National Park in Karnataka

Bandipur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the Bandipur Tiger Reserve on Sunday morning. He will be interacting with frontline field staff and Self Help Groups involved in conservation efforts.

He also visited the Theppakadu Elephant camp in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve where he interacted with mahouts and kavadis of the elephant camp.

Modi was seen feeding sugarcanes to the elephants while interacting with the mahouts present in the Theppakadu Elephant camp.

He will also interact with field directors of tiger reserves that have scored highest in the recently concluded 5th cycle of the Management Effectiveness Evaluation exercise.

PMO tweets he will visit two tiger reserves

"PM Narendra Modi is on the way to the Bandipur and Mudumalai Tiger Reserves," tweeted Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

PM to launch IBCA today

According to PMO, Prime Minister Modi will launch the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA). In July 2019, Prime Minister Modi had called for an Alliance of Global Leaders to obliterate demand and firmly curb poaching and illegal wildlife trade in Asia.

IBCA will focus on the protection and conservation of seven major big cats of the world -- Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar and Cheetah, said the PMO statement.

PM Modi to release Tiger census today

PM Modi will also inaugurate the programme 'Commemoration of 50 years of Project Tiger'. During the programme, he will release the publications 'Amrit Kaal Ka Vision for Tiger Conservation', a summary report of 5th cycle of Management Effective Evaluation of Tiger Reserves, declare tiger numbers and release a summary report of All India Tiger Estimation (5th cycle). A commemorative coin on the completion of 50 years of Project Tiger will also be released by Prime Minister Modi.