July 29 is celebrated as International Tiger Day annually to raise awareness about the need for tiger conservation. The magnificent creature with its orange and black stripes and beautifully marked face is the largest of the world’s big cats.

In 2010, experts revealed the shocking news that in the last century, 97% wild tigers had disappeared. The rest 3% meant that only 3000 tigers were left alive. Realizing that tigers are on the brink of extinction, an international summit was called in Saint Petersburg where representatives of countries pledged to protect the natural habitat of tigers and support tiger conservation issues.

The meet declared July 29 as International Tiger Day which would be celebrated every year to raise public awareness about the necessity to protect tigers and halt their extinction. Many international organizations like the WWF, the IFAW and the Smithsonian Institute are involved in observing this day.

The day also aims to take steps to expand tiger habitats which have been largely encroached by man leading to conflict between man and wild. The expansion of cities and agriculture by humans have led to people and tigers competing for space. Communities living near tiger forests pose a major threat to tigers. When forests shrink and food becomes scarce, tigers are compelled to hunt livestock which is the livelihood of the communities residing near the forest. They then retaliate by killing the helpless creatures.

Along with the loss of habitat, climate change, hunting and poaching have also contributed to the dwindling tiger population.

One of the world’s largest tiger populations is found in the Sundarbans forest. The Sunderbans which protects coastal regions from storm surges and wind damage is also the haven for tigers.  However, rising sea levels owing to climate change threatens to wipe out these forests as well as the tiger habitats in the years to come.

 India also began to take urgent tiger conservation steps in 2006 when it was discovered that there were just a little over 1,411 tigers left in the country. The government and NGOs took serious note of the problem and launched ‘Project Tiger’ the purpose of which was to –

- Limit any factor that leads to the reduction of tiger habitats.
- Rectify and repair any damage done to these habitats to keep the balance of our eco system.
- Ensure that population of tigers is maintained for ecological values.

With these measures, there has been a steady increase in the tiger population. Very often we hear news about tigress giving birth to a litter of cubs as well as the increase in tiger population in various forests throughout India. It shows that the efforts of the authorities have borne fruit.

On this International tiger day, let us pledge to continue with our efforts to protect these splendid and majestic creatures.