In a major boost to India's naval capabilities, the Indian Navy is all set to commission its stealth guided missile destroyer - INS Imphal. The newest destroyer in the Navy's arsenal would be welcomed in a short while.

India: Indian Navy to commission INS Imphal in Mumbai; Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to be present

India is all set to make use of Artificial Intelligence in a bid to make better weather forecast. The country has been facing climate challenges resulting in a surge of severe weather conditions.

India adopts AI amid climate concerns | Can AI revolutionise weather forecast? | World DNA

New Delhi has officially announced that the country's external affairs minister S Jaishankar will fly to Russia on a key diplomatic visit beginning on Christmas day that is on December 25th. The 5-day visit is part of an ongoing high-level exchanges between Russia and India and it will include engagements in Moscow and St Petersburg.

S Jaishankar to meet Russia's Deputy PM; India & Moscow members of BRICS, SCO & G20 | World DNA

India intends to construct a new scientific research station in Antarctica by the end of this decade. The new station aims to replace the Maitri research base which has been operating on the white continent for 35 years. Watch to know more.

India to build new Antarctic research station 'Maitri 2'

Gallery: Rewind 2023: 10 significant achievements India recorded this year

<p>At least 202 tigers died in the wild in India in 2023, with the western state of Maharashtra crossing the half-century mark for the first time. According to the All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE)-2022, the country houses 3,682 big cats in total.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The death figure of 202 is for the period from January 1, 2023, to December 24 and has been revealed by the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), a wildlife conservation organisation monitoring tiger and leopard deaths.</p>

<p>The biggest contribution came from Maharashtra where 52 tigers were reported dead in the year. The central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh followed on second, with 47 deaths.</p>

<p>About half of the total deaths in Maharashtra were reported in two districts—Chandrapur and Gadchiroli.</p>

<h2><strong>Upward trend since 2012</strong></h2>

<p>The mortality figure for tigers in the country has seen an upward trend since 2012.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The figure has risen from 96 deaths in 2019, 106 in 2020, 127 in 2021, and 121 in 2022 to 202 this year.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: India is now home to 75% of the world's tiger</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-india-is-now-home-to-75-of-the-worlds-tiger-621177/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>“Even as there is phenomenal growth in tiger numbers, an equal number of tigers have died in the last five years. Poaching and electrocution are two major causes of tiger deaths in Maharashtra,” Bandu Dhotre, ex-member of the State Board for Wildlife (SBWL), was quoted as saying by the Times of India.</p>

<h2><strong>Major reasons behind the death of big cats</strong></h2>

<p>According to media reports, organised gangs like Bawaria poachers from the north Indian states of Punjab and Haryana have contributed significantly to the staggering death figure.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/data-lab-india-houses-75-of-the-worlds-tigers-but-lets-not-get-fixated-on-the-numbers-620409"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Data Lab | India houses 75% of the world’s tigers, but let`s not get fixated on numbers</strong></a></p>

<p>Out of 202 deaths, 147 came from natural causes while 55 occurred due to poaching and body parts seizures.</p>

<h2><strong>Leopards are dying too</strong></h2>

<p>According to WPSI, the number of leopard deaths in the country has also seen a rapid rise.</p>

<p>At least 544 leopards were reported dead from January 1 to December 24 this year.</p>

<p>Out of 544, 152 leopards were killed by poachers.</p>

<h2><strong>‘No cause for worry’</strong></h2>

<p>Experts believe that there is no cause for worry as long as the tiger population is increasing.</p>

<p>“Tiger population has gone up rapidly. The average age in the wild is only 10-12 years and 50% neo-natal mortality in tigers is common. As long as a 6% population increase per year is registered, there is no cause for worry. Maximum number of deaths have been reported in states that have high number of tigers,” SP Yadav, additional director general of forests (Project Tiger) and NTCA member-secretary, was quoted as saying by the TOI.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


At least 202 tigers died in the wild in India in 2023, with the western state of Maharashtra crossing the half-century mark for the first time. According to the All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE)-2022, the country houses 3,682 big cats in total.

At least 202 tigers died in the wild in India in 2023, with the western state of Maharashtra crossing the half-century mark for the first time. According to the All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE)-2022, the country houses 3,682 big cats in total. The death figure of 202 is for the period from January 1, 2023, to December 24 and has been revealed by the Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI), a wildlife conservation organisation monitoring tiger and leopard deaths. The biggest contribution came from Maharashtra where 52 tigers were reported dead in the year. The central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh followed on second, with 47 deaths. About half of the total deaths in Maharashtra were reported in two districts—Chandrapur and Gadchiroli. Upward trend since 2012 The mortality figure for tigers in the country has seen an upward trend since 2012. The figure has risen from 96 deaths in 2019, 106 in 2020, 127 in 2021, and 121 in 2022 to 202 this year. Watch: Gravitas: India is now home to 75% of the world's tiger × “Even as there is phenomenal growth in tiger numbers, an equal number of tigers have died in the last five years. Poaching and electrocution are two major causes of tiger deaths in Maharashtra,” Bandu Dhotre, ex-member of the State Board for Wildlife (SBWL), was quoted as saying by the Times of India. Major reasons behind the death of big cats According to media reports, organised gangs like Bawaria poachers from the north Indian states of Punjab and Haryana have contributed significantly to the staggering death figure. Also read: Data Lab | India houses 75% of the world’s tigers, but let`s not get fixated on numbers Out of 202 deaths, 147 came from natural causes while 55 occurred due to poaching and body parts seizures. Leopards are dying too According to WPSI, the number of leopard deaths in the country has also seen a rapid rise. At least 544 leopards were reported dead from January 1 to December 24 this year. Out of 544, 152 leopards were killed by poachers. ‘No cause for worry’ Experts believe that there is no cause for worry as long as the tiger population is increasing. “Tiger population has gone up rapidly. The average age in the wild is only 10-12 years and 50% neo-natal mortality in tigers is common. As long as a 6% population increase per year is registered, there is no cause for worry. Maximum number of deaths have been reported in states that have high number of tigers,” SP Yadav, additional director general of forests (Project Tiger) and NTCA member-secretary, was quoted as saying by the TOI. (With inputs from agencies)

India: 202 tigers, 544 leopards died in 2023, marking highest rise in decade

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at 'Sadaiv Atal' memorial. PM Modi joined other ministers to pay tribute to former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth anniversary. Indian Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was also seen arriving at 'Sadaiv Atal' memorial.

Remembering Atal Bihari Vajpayee; Vajpayee helped shape post independence domestic & foreign policy

The most common cake that comes to mind when we talk of Christmas cakes is the plum cake and fruit cake. But there are some very unique and diverse cakes in India that have some very interesting back stories. In this segment we take a look at some of them.

Christmas: Mambally bakery in Kerala claims to have baked the first Christmas cake in India | WION

Atal Bihari Vajpayee birth anniversary: PM Modi, India President Murmu & Vice President pay tribute

As millions of Americans plan their holiday travel, COVID levels are surging across the US, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand are also on guard.

Gravitas: Wuhan virus raises alarm in US

On Thursday, terror struck Kashmir once again. 4 soldiers were killed in action during a gunfight with terrorists in Poonch. Who were these terrorists? Are they linked to Pakistan? Priyanka Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas | Terror strikes Kashmir: Four soldiers killed in action

146 Opposition MPs were suspended from Parliament for 'unruly behaviour' and 'misconduct'. The government said they had broken rules, opposition leaders have called it a 'murder of democracy'. Vikram Chandra speaks to PDT Achary, a former Lok Sabha Secretary General to understand what the incidents in Parliament this week mean for its future.

What do mass suspensions mean for Parliamentary democracy? | The India Story

Three Congress MPs were suspended from Lok Sabha on Thursday, taking the total number of suspended Opposition MPs from Parliament to 146. Over 140 Opposition MPs have been suspended since December 14 for causing disruptions to the functioning of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and raising slogans while demanding a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the December 13 Parliament security breach.

Opposition MPs protest suspensions: Opposition demands Home Minister's statement

An invitation has been extended to French President Emmanuel Macron to serve as the chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations in 2024. This marks the sixth instance of a French leader being invited to the momentous event at Kartavya Path on January 26, commemorating the day in 1950 when the Constitution of India came into effect, signifying the nation's transition to a republic. India's gesture reflects the strengthened closeness and trust that has developed between the two countries over time.

France's Macron will be India's Chief Guest on Republic Day; Rafale Jets to fly at RD parade | WION

Floods in Tamil Nadu leave hundreds stranded. Flash Flood left Tamil Nadu with inundating roads, affecting train services and authorities scrambling to rescue those stranded. Heavy monsoon downpour kills 10 people.

India: 10 dead in Tamil Nadu flash floods; IAF choppers dropping food & aid to those stranded | WION

Parliament row | Opposition MPs protest suspensions: Total number now at 146

More COVID-19 cases have been reported in India. There were six deaths in the last 24 hours. Should you be scared? What precautions should you take?

Gravitas: Chinese Covid-19 continues to rise in India

Three more MPs suspended from Indian Parliament | Race to Power

The Army claimed three soldiers were killed and three were injured during a battle with militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Thursday. At 3:45 PM on Thursday, terrorists ambushed two army trucks heading through Dera Ki Gali in Rajouri's Poonch area.

J&K: Terrorists ambush police vehicle in Rajouri, three Indian Army personnel killed in action

Following the latest security breach in the Parliament, three more MPs have been suspended. To date, this is the highest suspension of Opposition MPs. Leaders took to X to criticise opposition leaders' mimicry of the Vice President.

Opposition MPs suspension: Three more Opposition MPs suspended for unruly behaviour in Parliament

After Kerala, JN.1 variant has now been found in Goa. 21 new cases have been reported in India in the last 24 hours which makes it 2,669 active cases. Singapore has become a country of concern, Indonesia is asking travellers to be vigilant. In Malaysia, cases have doubled. This is December Deja Vu.

Covid-19 India: Goa reports highest number of JN.1 cases; Active cases reach 2,669 in India | WION

According to Canadian broadcaster CBC, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that he thought there had been a "tonal shift" in relations between Ottawa and New Delhi following US claims of a plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on US grounds.

Canada-India ties over Pannun murder plot: Trudeau claims involvement of US changed India's stance

European Parliament chair for relations with india and European Member of Parliament Morten Lokkegaard is in India. The European lawmaker is here to hold number of discussions with Indian authorities on range of issues.

EU MP Morten Lokkegaard speaks to WION: Big democracies need to work together

Wuhan virus variant JN.1 is spreading fast. Since December 11, cases have more than doubled in India. The Indian health ministry has advised states to take precautions and monitor the situation closely.

Gravitas: Wuhan Virus variant JN.1 spreading fast | Why it's time for India to mask up again

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has, for the first time, responded to allegations of an Indian assassination plot in the US, saying he will “look into” any evidence but a “few incidents” would not derail US-India ties.

India PM Narendra Modi responds to Khalistan row, says 'will look into any evidence provided' | WION

Some 800 train passengers have been stranded in the state's Thoothukudi district. Villages, towns, highways and railroads in several regions of southern Tamil Nadu now resemble rivers.

India: Heavy rains continue to batter Tamil Nadu; at least 10 killed so far | India News | WION

Cases of a new Omicron sub-variant called JN.1 are rising worldwide; Singapore, India, UK, Germany among many nations report rising cases. The World Health Organisation urges nations to take strict measures.

India: 2,311 active Covid cases, highest surge in Kerala; 341 new JN.1 Covid strain cases | WION

A record number of Indian MPs have been suspended in a single day. 141 Parliamentarians have been ejected from parliament, both from the lower house and the upper house. It's a figure which is unprecedented in the history of the Indian parliament.

Gravitas | Indian Parliament: Record suspension of 141 MPs in a single day

After Kerala, JN.1 variant has now been found in Goa. 142 new cases have been reported in India in the last 24 hours. Singapore has become a country of concern, Indonesia is asking travellers to be vigilant. In Malaysia, cases have doubled. This is December Deja Vu.

Gravitas: Covid-19: After Kerala, JN.1 variant reported in Goa

Covid cases are once again on the rise, in India. The Indian government has confirmed the presence of JN.1 subvariant of COVID-19 in the southern state of Kerala. The Union Health Ministry data on Monday revealed that India recorded 260 new Covid infections in the last 24 hours.

Covid-19 makes global comeback; new Omicron sub-variant JN.1 causes global concern | WION

india-news-1

India News, News on India News, stories on India News, articles on India News, India News stories at Wion, India News news, India News latest news

india news-1