International Tiger Day 2023 is being celebrated worldwide today, July 29, 2023. Since its inception in 2010 at Saint Petersburg, Russia, International Tiger Day has been an annual celebration, aiming to promote tiger conservation and increase awareness about the dwindling tiger population.
The main objective of celebrating International Tiger Day every year is to create awareness among people to conserve tigers and save their natural habitat.
The number of tigers all over the world has reduced very much and that is why they are kept in the list of endangered species of wildlife.
There came a time that the number of tigers in the whole world had reduced very much and they had reached the verge of extinction.
After that India took many steps for their protection and launched national campaigns like ‘Save the Tiger’. It is due to these efforts of India that today the largest number of tigers in the whole world is here. Their number in India is about 3000 whereas in the whole world this number is about 4500.
International Tiger Day History
Tiger is the national animal of our country and Project Tiger was launched in 1973 for its conservation. Despite this, in 2010, the number of tigers in our country was reduced to only 1700. Then the countries around the world got worried about saving them.
Tigers are found in only 13 countries around the world. These countries organized a conference in Saint Petersburg, Russia in 2010 to encourage tiger conservation and raise awareness of the declining tiger population. In this conference, 29 July was announced to be celebrated as International Tiger Day.
Participating countries in this conference- India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam
In this conference, the goal was set before the world that by the year 2022, we will double the number of tigers. It was confirmed in the conference that from 1910 to 2010, the number of tigers has come down from one lakh to just 3500. Also their habitat has shrunk 40 percent from 2000 to 2010.
After this conference, the participating countries have made very good efforts from their side, as a result of which the number of tigers in India alone is going to reach close to 3000 and in the world around 4500. Along with this, their habitat area has also increased.
According to a report, there has been a rapid increase in the number of tigers in Kerala, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh of India. According to the latest tiger census, the number of tigers in India is 2,967, which is more than 70 percent of the number of tigers found in the whole world. In this way, the number of tigers in India still remains the highest in the whole world. India’s name has also been recorded in the ‘Guinness Book of World Records’ as the largest tiger count ever.
Significance of International Tiger Day 2023
International Tiger Day is celebrated to spread awareness about tiger conservation among the people. It aims to protect tigers and their natural habitats globally
That’s why this day becomes very important because the more people are aware, the more they will support the issues of tiger conservation.
There are many problems related to the conservation of tigers around the world such as their poaching, loss of habitat, conflict with humans etc. Due to these problems also we are losing this incredible creature and it is on the verge of extinction.
The biggest problem among them is their poaching and illegal trade. Due to the demand for tiger bones, skin and other body parts around the world, they are being poached and smuggled. We often see that people also use tiger skin in the decoration of their homes. Due to which there is a demand for tiger body parts in the industries manufacturing these items.
Apart from this, tiger bones are also used to make medicines and tonics. These medicines and tonics are very expensive, in the greed of which people start poaching tigers. Therefore, there is a need to work very hard to end poaching and illegal trade in tiger parts.
And this can happen only when awareness is created among the people about tiger conservation. The more people are aware, the less the demand for such items will be reduced and this will stop the poaching of tigers and their illegal trade.
The purpose of International Tiger Day is also to make people aware of maximum tiger conservation.
International Tiger Day and India
India holds International Tiger Day in special reverence. As the nation boasting the grandest array of tigers worldwide, India assumes a pivotal role in safeguarding and preserving these splendid beings. This significant day serves as a poignant reminder of India’s relentless endeavors to shield tigers and their natural abodes.
India’s unwavering dedication to tiger conservation manifests through diverse initiatives and national crusades, exemplified by the campaign “Save the Tiger.” Such concerted exertions have contributed to a noteworthy surge in the tiger populace, with their numbers reaching approximately 3000, solidifying India’s position as a pivotal global sanctuary for the species.
By commemorating International Tiger Day, India conspicuously exhibits its profound commitment to conserving this iconic creature, accentuating the imperative for collective action to secure their endurance for future generations. The occasion further fosters awareness and international collaboration to confront the challenges that tigers encounter and to ensure their rightful place in the wilderness for the years to come.
Tiger Reserves in India
When Project Tiger was launched in the year 1973, at that time there were only 9 Tiger Reserves in India, whose number has increased to 52 today.
Tiger Reserves in India list –
Bandipur (Karnataka), Corbett (Uttarakhand), Kanha (Madhya Pradesh), Manas (Assam), Melghat (Maharashtra), Palamu (Jharkhand), Ranthambore (Rajasthan), Similipal (Odisha), Sunderbans (West Bengal), Periyar (Kerala), Sariska (Rajasthan), Baksa (West Bengal), Indravati (Chhattisgarh), Namdapha (Arunachal Pradesh), Dudhwa (Uttar Pradesh), Kalakad-Mundanthurai (Tamil Nadu), Valmiki (Bihar), Pench (Madhya Pradesh), Tadoba-Andhari ( Maharashtra), Bandhavgarh and Panna (Madhya Pradesh), Dampa (Mizoram), Bhadra (Karnataka), Pakke or Pakhui (Arunachal Pradesh), Nameri (Assam), Satpura (Madhya Pradesh), Anamalai (Tamil Nadu), Udanti-Sitanadi (Chhattisgarh) ), Satkosia (Odisha), Kaziranga (Assam), Achanakmar (Chhattisgarh), Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve (Kali) Karnataka, Sanjay-Dubari (Madhya Pradesh), Mudumalai (Tamil Nadu), Nagarhole (Karnataka), Parambikulam (Kerala), Sahyadri (Maharashtra), Biligiri Ranganatha Temple (Karnataka), Kaval (Telangana), Sathyamangalam (Tamil Nadu),Mukandra Hills (Rajasthan), Navegaon-Nagjira (Maharashtra), Amrabad (Telangana), Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh), Bor (Maharashtra), Rajaji (Uttarakhand), Orang (Assam), Kamalang (Arunachal Pradesh), Srivilliputhur – Megamalai (Tamil Nadu) ) and Ramgarh Vishdhari (Rajasthan)
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