New Delhi: In a moving tribute to global biodiversity and environmental conservation, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi started his official state visit to Seychelles with a visit to the iconic Giant Tortoise Enclosure at the Seychelles National Botanical Garden. Accompanied by Seychelles President Dr. Patrick Herminie, the Prime Minister spent time interacting with the famed Aldabra Giant Tortoises, shedding light on the critical need to preserve our planet’s oldest living treasures.
The Aldabra Giant Tortoise is one of the largest and longest-living species on Earth. Endemic to the Seychelles, these magnificent creatures are living history books, with some individuals surviving for over two centuries. Walking through the lush sanctuary, Prime Minister Shri Modi observed the tortoises with great admiration, even participating in feeding them and speaking warmly with the conservation staff about the management of the island’s unique wildlife ecosystem.
Beyond their ecological importance, these gentle giants hold a very unique place in diplomatic history, serving as living ambassadors of the deep bond between India and Seychelles. This special wildlife connection tracing back years was highlighted by the Prime Minister. In 2014, Seychelles gifted a pair of these historic tortoises to the Alipore Zoological Gardens in Kolkata. Strengthening this environmental kinship further, Seychelles later gifted another group of tortoises to the Hyderabad Zoo, allowing millions of Indian citizens to marvel at the unique fauna of the Indian Ocean.
The visit beautifully reflects Prime Minister Shri Modi’s deeply rooted, personal passion for wildlife and nature. Whether championing the historical reintroduction of Cheetahs to India, advocating for the protection of the country’s tiger and elephant corridors, or spending time in the serene wilderness of national parks, his public life has consistently featured a soft spot for animals and environmental stewardship. By choosing to visit the botanical garden alongside President Herminie, the Prime Minister underscored a powerful message: true international partnerships are built not just on trade and security, but on a shared reverence for nature and a collective duty to safeguard our planet’s biodiversity for generations to come.