NEW DELHI, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Indian government Tuesday said it has added the 57th tiger reserve to its tally.

According to India's federal ministry of environment, forest and climate change, the latest to join the list is Ratapani Tiger Reserve in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

"We continue to make great strides in conserving our tigers ... The latest to join the list is Ratapani Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh," federal minister of environment, forest and climate change Bhupender Yadav said in a statement. "As a country of nature lovers and worshippers, India offers the best habitat for the big cat."

Officials said Ratapani Tiger Reserve is the eighth tiger reserve of Madhya Pradesh. It has a core area of 763.8 square km, a buffer area of 507.6 square km and a total area of 1,271.4 square km.

"This conservation initiative will strengthen wildlife management in the forests of Ratapani, Bhopal Sehore area," the ministry said in a statement. "The local communities will get the desired ecotourism benefits with this and it will help in the development of the region."

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the notification of the Ratapani Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh as "wonderful news for environment lovers", saying India's tiger population has been increasing due to the country's consistent conservation efforts. Enditem

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