India’s National Animal and a cultural icon, the tiger has been faring quite well when it comes to its population numbers. However, challenges persist as incidents of tiger deaths due to poaching, habitat loss and negative human interactions have also been on the rise. 

At Wildlife Trust of India, we have been working with communities and governments, across the country to reduce incidences of conflict and safeguard their habitats and corridors. This International Tiger Day, our various project landscapes organised a series of events to celebrate these magnificent animals.

Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh

WTI participated in an event hosted by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department at Dhampur located in Amangarh Tiger Reserve, Bijnor on 28th July 2024. 

The Chief Guest, Shri Arun Kumar Saxena, Hon’ble State Minister (Independent Charge), EF&CC Department, Uttar Pradesh was in attendance alongside Shri Manoj Singh, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary – Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, UP, Shri Sudhir Kumar Sharma, IFS, PCCF (HoFF), Shri Sanjay Srivastava, IFS, PCCF(WL), Shri Sunil Chaudhary, IFS, MD Uttar Pradesh Forest Corporation, Shri Lalit Kumar Verma, IFS, APCCF Project Tiger, Govt. of UP.

Shri Arun Kumar Saxena, Hon’ble State Minister (Independent Charge), EF&CC Department, visited the WTI stall where the team showcased the accomplishments of the  Terai Tiger Project, WCCD, and Sarus Habitat Securement Project within the landscape. The stall featured field equipment, and sensitisation materials such as pug marks and scat identification, activity books for children and guidelines for preventing human-wildlife conflict). These materials were distributed to students and forest department staff from Amangarh, Pilibhit, Ranipur TR, and Katarniaghat WLS.

 

Pakke Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh

The team at the Centre of Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation (CBRC) in collaboration with Pakke Tiger Reserve facilitated a series of events to promote tiger conservation and honour wildlife protectors. The day kicked off with a Bike Rally from Seijosa to Delasiri, followed by an outreach program for students of Govt. Middle School in the A2 Pakke landscape. 

Sundarbans, West Bengal

The 24 Parganas (South) Forest Division, West Bengal partnered with WTI to organise an online drawing competition and awareness programs which saw the participation of over 600 students, teachers, villagers, JFMC committee members, boat associations, nature guides, Primary Response Teams (PRTs), Bagh Bondhus, Tiger volunteers, Tiger Scouts, BDOs, Zila Parishad representatives, Pradhans, social workers, Range office staff and media personnel. 

During the event, WTI recognised and honoured eight teams from the Forest Department for their continuous effort in conserving species and its habitat. 

Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Bihar

WTI’s Primary Response Team (PRT) members from across six villages (Dumari, Rupaulia, Ekwa, Parsauni, Purainia-Manpur, Dhumatand-Jasauli) in the eastern part of the Valmiki Tiger Reserve under the Manguraha Forest Range helped raise awareness in an area significantly affected by Large carnivore conflict. 

Additionally, the team in collaboration with the Forest Department conducted a sensitisation program for a total of 152 students and staff alongside several sarpanchs from various fringe schools in Valmikinagar.

Manas National Park, Assam

WTI participated in a conservation and outreach event along with Aaranyak, WWF, the Dept. of Environment and Forests, Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Assam Science Technology and Environment Council, (ASTEC) in Bhuyanpara, Baksa, Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR). The event focussed on tiger conservation efforts and the revival of the Manas landscape. The Indigenous and local community members from various fridge villages were also felicitated for their support and contributions towards the recovery of Manas National Park.

Katarniaghat, Uttar Pradesh

Over 350 students and staff from Terai Prakritishala school in Bardiya village, Katarniaghat along with Primary Response Team (PRT) members participated in an awareness program hosted by our Terai Tiger Project team. The program concluded on a high note with a rally through the village, where participants chanted the slogan “Bagh hai toh jungle hai, jungle hai toh jeevan hai” (If there are tigers, there is a jungle; if there is a jungle, there is life).

Nagzira-Nawegaon Tiger Reserve (NNTR), Maharashtra

At Ravinanda Public School in Gondia district, Maharashtra, 120 students participated in activities aimed at raising awareness about tigers in the Nagzira-Nawegaon landscape.  The event included the screening of two short videos on tiger conservation and other associated species. Our team led a session on tiger and leopard identification and engaged the students in an intellectual activity to recognise tigers by their unique stripe patterns. Additionally, a ball-and-thread game was used to illustrate the food chain and the interdependence of different taxa.