Kevin Pietersen had met PM Modi through the G20 summit in New Delhi in March.

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s go to to Karnataka on Sunday to participate in numerous ‘Project Tiger’ occasions has drawn reward from former England cricket captain Kevin Pietersen. 

The ex-cricketer termed PM Modi “iconic” and a “world leader” for his efforts in direction of animal conservation within the nation.

“ICONIC! A world leader who adores wild animals and is so excited when spending time with them in their natural habitat. Remember, for his last birthday, he released cheetahs into the wild in India.  HERO, @narendramodi,” Mr Pietersen wrote on Twitter.

ICONIC!
A world chief who adores wild animals and is so excited when spending time with them of their pure habitat. Remember, for his final birthday, he launched cheetahs into the wild in India.
HERO, @narendramodi 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/D8EPDJh6Jc

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) April 9, 2023

PM Modi reached the Bandipore Tiger Reserve in Karnataka on Sunday for a 20-km safari as a part of programmes to mark 50 years of “Project Tiger”.

The tiger population in India was 3,167 in 2022, revealed the latest tiger census data released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.

According to the data, the tiger population stood at 1,411 in 2006, 1,706 in 2010, 2,226 in 2014, 2,967 in 2018 and 3,167 in 2022.

Mr Pietersen, an animal conservationist who is well-known for his charity, SORAI (Save our Rhino’s in Africa and India) to rescue and rehabilitate abandoned or injured rhinos, had met PM Modi during the G20 summit in New Delhi in March.

“An honor to talk so passionately and warmly in regards to the launch of cheetahs in your birthday, Sir @narendramodi. Thank you in your infectious smile and agency handshake.  I actually stay up for seeing you once more, Sir!,” he had written on social media. 

An honor to speak so passionately and warmly about the release of cheetahs on your birthday, Sir @narendramodi. Thank you for your infectious smile and firm handshake.
I really look forward to seeing you again, Sir! 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/9gEe3e1wwV

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) March 3, 2023

Twelve cheetahs from South Africa were taken to the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh last month. After their rehabilitation, the total number of big cats in the national park rose to 20.