Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
Today, people around the world are celebrating World Tiger Day. This particular day, held every year on July 29, raises awareness and support for protecting tigers. The theme for World Tiger Day 2024 focuses on the big problems that tigers face, such as losing their homes, being hunted, and conflicts with humans.
Because these fantastic animals have faced many dangers, their numbers have dropped sharply over the past hundred years. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) says there are about 3,900 tigers left in the wild worldwide.
World Tiger Day was established in 2010 during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit, a global conference organized by the Global Tiger Initiative (GTI).
The summit brought together nations, international organizations, and conservation groups dedicated to tiger conservation. Recognizing the alarming decline in tiger populations, the Tiger Range Countries (TRCs) dedicated a day each year to raise awareness about tiger conservation and its challenges.
The Tiger Range Countries (TRCs) are nations with wild tiger populations. These countries include Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
These countries are home to the world's remaining wild tigers and play a crucial role in global tiger conservation efforts.
In Bangladesh, there is a glimmer of hope. Royal Bengal Tigers have risen in the Sundarbans, an enormous mangrove forest in Khulna.
A few years ago, only two tigers were seen in an area of about 2,000 square kilometres during a survey. However, the latest survey, which started this year, found 10 to 15 tigers in the exact location. This increase is a testament to the success of conservation efforts and a reason to be optimistic about the future of tigers in Bangladesh.
Tigers are very important for Bangladesh's nature and tourism. They attract nature lovers, which helps the economy. Tigers also balance the number of other animals, which is good for the environment.
Bangladesh has made concerted efforts to protect its tiger population in recent years. The Bangladesh Forest Department, in collaboration with various NGOs and international organizations, has implemented several projects aimed at tiger conservation. Notable among these is the 'Bagh Activity,' a USAID-funded project conducted in 2018 that focuses on reducing human-tiger conflict, enhancing law enforcement to combat poaching, and raising awareness about the importance of tiger conservation.
Moreover, the 'Sundarbans Tiger Project' has been instrumental in monitoring tiger populations and implementing conservation strategies. The Sundarban Tiger project is a Bangladesh Forest Department initiative that effectively started its field activities in February 2005. Initiatives such as these have contributed to a gradual increase in the tiger population in the Sundarbans.
As we celebrate World Tiger Day, we should remember that tigers' future depends on each of us. By raising awareness, supporting efforts to save tigers, and making intelligent choices, we can help create a future where tigers can live freely in Bangladesh and worldwide. Our actions, no matter how small, contribute to the more significant cause of tiger conservation.
shemultahmina2717@gmail.com