
India’s national animal – the Royal Bengal Tiger was once at the brink of extinction a decade ago. Because of the poaching and the loss of its natural habitat, the population of tigers had dipped beyond 2000.
As of 29th July, which is celebrated as International Tiger Day, the tigers are in a much better position and the population has significantly increased in their natural habitat. The first Global Tiger Day was celebrated after the signing of Saint Petersburg declaration by the 13 tiger range countries in Russia in 2010. All the governments of the tiger range countries came together and resolved to encourage the conservation of protecting natural habitats of tigers and gave themselves the target of doubling the number of tigers by the year 2022.
On Tuesday, Prakash Javadekar, the Union Environment Minister, released the report of the Tiger census and proudly declared that India is the home of over 70 percent of the global tiger population. He said,
“The country today has 70 percent of the world’s tiger population. We are ready to work with all the 13 tiger range countries in their actual management of tiger reserves. In 1973, there were just nine tiger reserves which have now increased to 50. It is important to know that none of these reserves are of poor quality. Either they are good or the best.”
Corbett Tiger Reserve Has Highest Reserve
There are over 13 currently tiger range countries that include India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Currently, the population of tigers in India is 1,923 that accounts for 65 percent of the total population. The Corbett Tiger Reserve has the highest number of Tigers with 231. Nagarhole and Bandipur in Karnataka have 127 and 126 tigers respectively.
Gajender K Sharma, the director of World Animal Protection India said,
“The people of India are in a position to make a significant difference for tigers, by not supporting the cruel industry. Tiger tourism starts young cubs being separated from their mother two or three weeks after they are born. The Trade of wild animals must end immediately. Wild animals belong in the wild. That’s why we are asking G20 nations to end wildlife trade forever.”
Source: India Times