International Tiger Day turns 11 years old on 29th July 2021. The annual celebration on 29th July is dedicated to discovering the significance of tigers not just in the arena of wildlife but also take fitting measures towards making tiger conservation a congruous effort of humankind.

On International Tiger Day, let’s go on a safari to take a look at the journey of tigers in India. India hosts half of the world’s tigers. As per 2018 records, India is the home to 2967 tigers. Do our endangered wild cats really feel safe in their home? What makes a home? The feelings of affinity towards its land and surrounding beings. Be it animals or humans, home does not feel safe without the assurance of no threat by the surroundings.

Wildlife photographers are the bridge connecting the lives of wildlife with us. They are the catalyst highlighting the life of animals in their habitat. A tiger teaching its cub the slides of finding a living in the dense forest is no less than a parent holding the hands of their baby, helping him to walk. Parenthood is universal and it is the responsibility of every living being on this planet to save tigers.

The spectrum of wildlife is a rich natural habitat for animals. Tigers especially find themselves indulging in every little marvel the forest has to offer. India being a hub of wild cats, is at the fore of tiger conservation and Project Tiger is its focal point. A flagship project of the government of India towards tiger conservation began in 1973 with 9 tiger reserves in the country. As of 2018, India has a commendable count of 50 tiger reserves which are protected specifically to save tigers.

International Tiger Day is regarded as an annual wake-up call to humanity to save the population of wild cats. The significance of tigers in the ecosystem need not be stressed enough. Chairing the apex position in the cycle of food chain, tigers are responsible for regulating the balance between herbivores and the natural vegetation they rely on for feeding and survival purposes. Although humans cannot get a closer look at the life of tigers in their habitat, wildlife photographers and wildlife photography have taken us a mile closer to understanding the life of animals.

On this International Tiger Day, let’s take a moment to show our gratitude to wildlife photographers and promise to conserve tigers to keep a happy balance between wildlife and humanity in the future.

International Tiger Day – Pondering on India’s role in tiger conservation