Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said her government has been taking steps to increase the population of tigers in the state.

On the occasion of International Tiger Day on Monday, she said efforts have been initiated to monitor their population in the Sundarban Tiger Reserve, as well as augment the number of big cats in Alipurduar's Buxa Tiger Reserve.

“Today is #InternationalTigerDay. The tiger is an endangered species. We must save our tigers. In #Bangla, augmentation of tiger population in Buxa Tiger Reserve has been initiated. In Sundarban Tiger Reserve, radio collaring and monitoring of tiger is continuing,” she tweeted.

The International Tiger Day is observed every year since 2010, for protecting the natural habitats of tigers and raising awareness on the endangered animal.