TIGER- Symbolizes strength, grace and untamed wilderness. As we celebrate World Tiger Day we are reminded of the awe-inspiring beauty and power of these majestic creatures. Yet beneath these lies a grave reality of tigers facing the unprecedented threat to their survival. Celebrated on the 29th of July each year, this day aims to promote awareness of the threats faced by tigers and what can be done to conserve them.
Tiger being the national animal of the country, holds significant cultural and ecological
importance. It is one of the most iconic and revered animals in the country.
The Bengal tiger is the most common subspecies found in India, and historically, it was widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent. However, they faced a huge loss in their number because of activities like poaching, habitat loss, and other anthropogenic activities, leading them to be listed as an endangered species.
Celebrated on the 29th of July each year globally, this day aims to promote awareness
of the threats faced by tigers and what can be done to conserve them. The very first tiger day was celebrated in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia, however, India launched its Tiger Protect in 1973 as a major wildlife conservation project of the
country.
Objectives of Tiger Day Celebration:
Create awareness- the day being in the limelight serves as an opportunity to spread the word all around. It educates people worldwide about the importance of tigers in the
ecosystem and the challenges they face due to habitat loss, poaching, illegal
trade, and human-wildlife conflicts.
Support the Efforts- The Day encourages governments, organizations, and individuals to take concrete steps in conserving tiger populations and their habitats.
Various initiatives and projects are launched or supported on this day to protect tiger
habitats, prevent poaching and ensure the well-being of tigers in captivity.
Project Tiger is one such initiative taken by the government. Project Tiger helped to increase the number from 1200 in the 1970s to 3500 in the 1990s, however, there was a huge drop in population in the 2008 census, recorded only 1411 tigers. Significantly there has been positive growth in the population over the years.
Collaboration with the authorities- Different stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, wildlife experts, and the general public, come together and work towards a common goal of saving tigers from extinction.
Mindfulness of tourism- Responsible tourism practices that don’t harm tigers or their habitats are promoted on this day to ensure sustainable wildlife tourism. Maintain the protocols mentioned by the guides, and be mindful of the time of the visit.
By commemorating World Tiger Day, people from all walks of life are encouraged to come together to protect and conserve these iconic species. Tigers play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance, and their conservation is essential for the overall health of the ecosystems they inhabit. The day serves as a call to action for everyone to join hands in saving these endangered big cats from the brink of extinction and ensuring a sustainable future for both tigers and humans.
The world needs more stripes.
About the author: Aysha is an emerging environmentalist, who wants to contribute the best she can to build a future where humans and nature can live in harmony.