International Tiger Day is celebrated every year on July 29th. Its purpose is to spread awareness about tiger conservation around the world and to inspire people to save their declining numbers. The tiger is not only the king of the jungle, but also an important part of our biodiversity. If tigers disappear, it will have a serious impact on our entire environmental balance.
Why is International Tiger Day celebrated?
At the beginning of the 20th century, there were thousands of tigers in the world, but today their numbers have decreased by almost 95%. Currently, only about 3,900 wild tigers are left. This figure is very alarming. In 2010, during an international conference held in St. Petersburg, Russia, it was decided that Tiger Day would be celebrated every year on July 29th. The aim was to tell people about the importance of tigers, protect their habitat, and prevent poaching.
Reasons for the declining number of tigers
- Poaching and illegal trade – The demand for tiger bones, skins, and other organs is very high in the illegal market. This is the biggest threat.
- Habitat loss – Deforestation, road construction, farming, and the expansion of human settlements have destroyed their natural home.
- Human-tiger conflict – When tigers' territory shrinks, they come into human areas, which increases conflict.
- Climate change – Changing weather patterns are affecting their living environment.
- Inbreeding and genetic problems – Due to the small population, there is less genetic diversity in tigers, which makes their future insecure.
Why are tigers important?
- Environmental balance: Tigers are apex predators. They control the number of animals like deer and wild boar, which maintains the balance of the forest.
- Symbol of biodiversity: Conservation of tigers means conservation of the entire forest and other species living inside it.
- Tourism and economy: Tiger tourism is a major source of revenue for countries like India.
How can we save tigers?
- Spread awareness: Share information on social media so that people understand why it is important to save tigers.
- Cooperate in anti-poaching campaigns: You can help by donating to organizations like WWF or by participating in schemes like 'Adopt a Tiger'.
- Save forests: Avoid cutting down trees, reduce the use of plastic, and prevent activities that harm forest areas.
- Engage the local community: Create awareness in villages so that people cooperate in the conservation of tigers instead of harming them.
- Support government policies: Participate in schemes to strengthen protected areas (Tiger Reserves).
History of International Tiger Day
International Tiger Day is celebrated every year on 29th July. It was started in 2010 in St. Petersburg, Russia. At that time, it was discovered that about 97% of wild tigers had disappeared from the world in the last 100 years. Therefore, it was decided to celebrate this day to save tigers and protect their forests. The main objective of this day is to make people aware so that the number of tigers can be increased and their natural habitat remains safe. Many international organizations like WWF are involved in this campaign. Their goal is to increase the number of tigers and save them for future generations.
What can be your contribution in today's time?
- Visit the website of WWF or other NGOs and join the 'Adopt a Tiger' scheme.
- Teach your children about tiger conservation.
- Use hashtags like #InternationalTigerDay on social media.
- Tell your friends, family and society that saving tigers is not only the government's duty, but also ours.
The tiger is not only the king of the jungle, but also a symbol of the strength of the earth's ecosystem. If we do not take action now, future generations will only be able to see the tiger in books and pictures. Therefore, become a part of tiger conservation at your level today.
