International Tiger Day has been celebrated on July 29 worldwide to raise awareness on the conservation of majestic tigers. It was founded in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit of 13 tiger range countries in Russia with a global goal of doubling the number of wild tigers till 2022. These 13 countries included Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam.
In 2022, Ginette Hemley, Senior Vice President for Wildlife Conservation- WWF-US said, “As we have found in the countries where tigers are recovering, political commitment is perhaps the most important ingredient in successful tiger conservation.” He also added, “Like most cats, tigers breed well when they have enough space, prey and protection. We have proven recovery is achievable when governments, communities, conservation organizations and other partners work together.”
Social media is flooded with netizens posts on the International Tiger Day saying Conservation of tigers is a symbol of a sustainable environment.
Took it to twitter, Sachin Tendulkar wrote, “Tiger is one of my favourite animals. On #InternationalTigerDay, show me one of the best pictures of Tigers you’ve clicked in the wild. Here’s one clicked by me.”
Yuvraj Singh wrote, “Let’s unite in safeguarding these majestic creatures and their habitats. Together, we can ensure their safe future! #InternationalTigerDay”
Nat Geo India shared a picture of an exquisite tiger on twitter along with a fact that stated, ‘Tigers are the world’s largest wild cats! Weighing up to 363 kg and measuring up to 3.3 meters, this animal does truly belong to the Big Cat family.’
Sudarsan Pattnaik, International Sand Artist and Padma Shri Awardee, presents his piece of sand art on International Tiger Day with message “Save us To Save the Environment” at Puri beach in Odisha.
One of the users shared her memorable pictures with the Majestic Tiger:
Project Tiger in India
In India, during the tenure of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Project Tiger was launched on April 1, 1973, to promote conservation of the tiger and preservation of their natural habitat.
While inaugurating the programme, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, said, “The tiger cannot be preserved in isolation. It is at the apex of a large and complex biotope. Its habitat, threatened by human intrusion, commercial forestry and cattle grazing, must first be made inviolate.”
The Project Tiger was first launched at the Jim Corbett National Park and later took it to nine tiger reserves of different States – Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
On April, 2023, Project Tiger has completed its 50 years and to celebrate the golden jubilee, Times of India had started initiative #SavingOurStripes. As a part of it, a ‘Tiger Anthem’ was composed by Shantanu Moitra, lyrics given by Tanveer Ghazi and visuals were shot by wildlife filmmaker S Nallamuthu. It is India’s first Tiger anthem and was launched by Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav on May 24, 2023.
