US supportive to India?s tiger conservation: Ambassador

US Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer said his country is very supportive to India?s efforts in conserving tigers.

?Protecting the environment, preserving endangered species, and combating global warming are areas of great cooperation with the U.S in our partnership with India.

I know the Government of India takes a similar interest, and we are working together at the highest levels of our governments to make progress on these issues,? said Roemer during his recent visit to West Bengal?s deltaic island Sunderbans.

The Sundarbans, well-known for tigers and crocodiles, is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world.

?By visiting the Sunderbans, one of India?s most fragile and important biosphere reserves, I can see firsthand the Government of India?s conservation efforts to preserve this special area and to reiterate U.S. support,? said the Ambassador.

?Apart from having the world?s largest deltaic mangrove forests, the Sunderbans is also home to one of India?s most iconic wildlife species ? the tiger. The U.S. Government is very supportive of tiger conservation efforts in India and the Sunderbans is an area where the Government of India is very active in conversation efforts.

?The U.S. has donated over $1 million in the past five years alone toward tiger conservation efforts in India. We are exploring several possibilities for more areas of cooperation with India,? said Roemer.

?The U.S. and India will continue to work together on combating climate change and protecting the planet?s natural wonders. My visit to the Sunderbans underscores this commitment,? said the Ambassador.