Full-page ads with Modi's photo for International Tiger Day, though budget cut allocation to Project Tiger
The front-page advertisement in leading dailies was issued by the Uttarakhand government.
July 29 is recognised as International Tiger Day and the Uttarakhand government made sure that we don't forget.
The front pages of leading English and Hindi dailies in the country carried full-page advertisements marking the occasion, replete with images of tigers, Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, and, of course, prime minister Narendra Modi.
Incidentally, the union budget for 2021-22 reduced the amount allocated for Project Tiger. As the Times of India reported in February, the allocation to the project has reduced by Rs 100 crore in the last two years. The National Tiger Conservation Authority, which manages 51 tiger reserves across India, was allocated only Rs 10 crore in this year's budget, a minor reduction of Rs 50 lakh.
Yet the line-up of ads appeared in papers like Indian Express, Times of India, Hindustan Times, and Dainik Jagran. The ad said that Uttarakhand is the leading state in tiger conservation, thanks to "successful and active participation of local residents".
Support Independent Media
The media must be free and fair, uninfluenced by corporate or state interests. That's why you, the public, need to pay to keep news free.
ContributeTelegraph, the Hindu and Dainik Bhaskar did not have the advertisement.
Yogi government spent Rs 160 crore on TV ads in one year, Network18 hit the jackpot
Power NL-TNM Election Fund
General elections are around the corner, and Newslaundry and The News Minute have ambitious plans together to focus on the issues that really matter to the voter. From political funding to battleground states, media coverage to 10 years of Modi, choose a project you would like to support and power our journalism.
Ground reportage is central to public interest journalism. Only readers like you can make it possible. Will you?