As a symbol of ecological balance and biodiversity, the tiger, specifically the Tiger Panthera Tigris, plays an integral role in our ecosystem. Regarded as the largest cat species and a member of the genus Panthera, this majestic creature is on the verge of extinction due to a variety of reasons.
Origin And International Significance Of The International Tiger Day (ITD)
Established in 2010 during the St Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia, the International Tiger Day (ITD) takes place every 29th of July. The primary aim of this global observance is to raise awareness about the decreasing number of wild tigers, thus emphasizing the importance of Tiger conservation. Over the years, ITD has evolved into a global platform advocating for the protection of the natural habitats of tigers.
Tigers: An Overview
Tigers inhabit a diverse range of habitats, stretching from Siberian temperate forests to subtropical and tropical forests situated in the Indian Subcontinent and Sumatra. Historically, eight subspecies of tigers have been recognised, three of which are now extinct. The still existing subspecies include the Bengal Tiger (Indian Subcontinent), Amur Tiger (Amur Rivers region of Russia, China, and North Korea), South China Tiger, Sumatran Tiger (Sumatra, Indonesia), and the Indo-Chinese Tiger (Continental southeast Asia).
Threats And Protection Status Of Tigers
Tigers are primarily threatened by habitat destruction, fragmentation, and poaching. To protect this critically endangered species, several regulations have been enacted. According to the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, tigers are listed under Schedule I. They are also categorized as Endangered Species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, and are included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
India: The Home Of Tigers
Tiger reserves are established across the country to offer safe habitats for these magnificent creatures. With 53 tiger reserves, the largest being Nagarjunsagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve and the smallest Bor Tiger Reserve, India houses over 70% of the global tiger population. Reports indicate that the tiger population in the country is stable or increasing, with India having successfully doubled its tiger population in 2018, well ahead of the targeted year of 2022 under the St. Petersburg Declaration on tiger conservation.
The Crucial Role Of Tigers In The Ecosystem
Tigers, being top predators, have a defining role in maintaining ecological balance. They manage the population of wild ungulates, thus keeping a check on the prey herbivores and vegetation on which they feed.
Conservation Measures
To protect tigers and their habitats, various initiatives have been proposed and implemented. This includes Project Tiger, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in 1973, and the establishment of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in 2005. There is also the implementation of the Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (CA|TS), a criterion check for successful tiger conservation.
This article aims to ensure that these significant facts about tigers, their significance in the ecosystem, as well as the numerous efforts taken towards their conservation, are well-understood by all.