International Tiger Day 2024 Significance, History, and Challenges
International Tiger Day raises awareness about tiger conservation. International Tiger Day 2024 focuses on habitat preservation and community involvement.
Deeksha Dixit29 Jul, 2024
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International Tiger Day 2024: International Tiger Day 2024 is an essential event, which is solely dedicated to raising awareness about the conservation of tigers and their habitats. Every year on July 29, International Tiger Day is observed to be celebrated. International Tiger Day not only reflects the issues faced by tigers on a global level but also acts as a reminder for people to maintain the balance required to preserve biodiversity.
Candidates preparing for the UPSC exam should understand the importance of International Tiger Day, as it overlaps with the topics related to environmental conservation, biodiversity, and global wildlife policies.When is International Tiger Day?
International Tiger Day is annually celebrated on 29th July. This date is chosen because on this date the resolution was adopted by several countries at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in 2010, In that summit 13 tiger population countries pledged the goal of doubling the global tiger population by 2022, this motive is named ‘ TX2’ which stands for 'Tigers times two'.What is International Tiger Day?
A global event that aims at seeking the attention of individuals and the public towards the difficult condition of tigers in the wild. Tigers were the species that once roamed across Asia, but are now only found in a few countries because the population of tigers are constantly decreasing due to factors like; habitat destruction, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.Tiger Range Countries
These 13 countries gathered at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in 2010 and agreed to practice various conservation measures to protect tiger habitats and increase their tiger populations. These countries implemented some initiatives such as the Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP) and the Global Tiger Forum (GTF). The list of 13 tiger range countries is presented below:- India
- Bangladesh
- Bhutan
- Nepal
- Myanmar
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Indonesia
- Laos
- Cambodia
- Vietnam
- China
- Russia
International Tiger Day Started in Which Year?
International Tiger Day Initiative was started in the year 2010 following the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit event, It was decided that this dedicated day would help the tiger conservation initiative by amplifying and enhancing the efforts and bringing global attention to this critical issue.Why is July 29th Celebrated as Tiger Day?
July 29th is celebrated as International Tiger Day, this date is chosen to highlight the international commitment of the 13 countries towards the declining population of tigers worldwide. It celebrates the adoption of the Global Tiger Recovery Program, the aim of (GTRP) double the number of wild tigers by the next Chinese Year of the Tiger in 2022.International Tiger Day Theme 2024
Every year, International Tiger Day is celebrated with a specific International Tiger Day theme that highlights conservation efforts and raises awareness. For International Tiger Day 2024, efforts to fight wildlife crime, expand protected areas, support local communities' sustainable livelihoods, and raise awareness about the challenges tigers face are being intensified.Also Read : Expert Guide to Conquer UPSC Mains 2024 in 60 Days
Importance of International Tiger Day 2024
The importance of International Tiger Day 2024 is beyond saving the decreasing population of tigers in the wild. It entails environmental issues, like biodiversity conservation, ecological balance, and sustainable development. Tigers are the apex predators and their existence creates a balanced and healthy ecosystem. The decrease in the population of tigers creates an ecological imbalance, which can lead to a negative impact on various levels of the food chain and habitats.| Scientific Name | Panthera tigris |
| Conservation status |
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| Subspecies |
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| Tiger Population | India: 3, 682 (India is now home to 75% of tigers in the world) |
Conservation Challenges
Despite global efforts, tiger populations face numerous challenges, including:- Habitat Loss: Human practices like deforestation and urbanization have downsized tigers' natural habitats, and led to fragmented populations and increasing human-wildlife conflicts.
- Poaching: Many tigers are captured and poached for their skins, bones, and body parts, which are highly valuable and expensive in illegal wildlife markets or black markets.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict: Human intervention in tiger territories, creates conflicts, often resulting in the killing of tigers.
- Climate Change: Altering weather patterns and disrupted climate conditions affect the availability of prey and suitable habitats for tigers, making the worse condition for their survival challenges.
- Political Will and Implementation: Effective conservation requires strong political intentions, adequate funding, and the implementation of laws protecting tigers and their habitats.
The Role of India in Tiger Conservation
India is home to more than 70% of the population of tigers on the global level, which makes India a critical player in global tiger conservation efforts. The commitment of India towards the tiger conservation initiative is evident through their various initiatives:Project Tiger
Project Tiger was launched in 1973 and is one of the most successful conservation programs, this program aims to ensure a viable population of Bengal tigers in their natural habitat. This program resulted in the establishment of 50 tiger reserves across India, which cover over 72,749 sq. kilometres and the focus of all the reserves is habitat conservation, anti-poaching measures, and community involvement.Current Status and Future Prospects
India’s National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and its commitment to the Global Tiger Recovery Program have delivered positive results in the segment of the current Tiger Population. In recent years, India has witnessed a significant increase in its tiger population; from 1,411 tigers in 2006, the number has increased to 3,682 in 2022. However, challenges to the tiger population persist in the economy, though continuous efforts are needed to sustain these gains.| Did you Know? | |
| The tiger population in India has increased by 33% since 2014, showcasing the effectiveness of conservation measures. |
Global Tiger Conservation Efforts
Even after implementing conservation techniques, many tiger subspecies persist in the endangered category, the total count of tigers from all over the world has been significantly reduced from about 100,000 in the early 20th century to just a few thousand today, which showcases the need for global level awareness to the efforts of tiger conservation.Global Tiger Recovery Program
- The Global Tiger Recovery Program (GTRP) focuses on doubling the population of the tiger on the global level by the year 2022, with the coordinated efforts of 13-tiger-ranged countries. It generally focuses on habitat restoration, anti-poaching initiatives, and sustainable development strategies that involve local communities.
- WWF (World Wildlife Fund) with the help of governments and local communities implemented tiger conservation strategies, which dedicatedly focus on anti-poaching measures and habitat preservation.
- CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) works for the protection of endangered species of animals and plants which regulates the illegal trade of tiger parts.
Global Population
Wild Tiger Population: Statistical data presented by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), states that approximately 3,900 tigers are left globally, but with such initiatives and effective programs, we can observe a slight increase from the historical data, which was around 3,200 in 2010. Tigers Captivity: With the estimate, 8,000 tigers are still in captivity across the world, of which 5,000 are in the United States only.Cross-Border Conservation
Many tiger habitats span international borders, necessitating cross-border cooperation. Initiatives such as the India-Nepal transboundary conservation efforts are examples of successful collaborations in tiger conservation.Tiger Census
The Tiger Census is an essential analytical tool that provides analytical information on conservation efforts and important data on tiger populations, their distribution, and habitat quality. For International Tiger Day 2024, it is vital to understand the complexities of tiger census methodologies as they reflect the effectiveness of conservation strategies and the need for adaptive management.Importance of the Tiger Census
The Tiger Census plays a pivotal role in formulating conservation policies by:- Assessing Population Trends: The tiger census helps in analysing the changes in the population of tigers over time.
- Identifying Critical Habitats: Understanding habitat use and preferences assists in prioritizing areas for conservation action.
- Guiding Policy Decisions: With the help of accurate data policymakers can track the progress, which helps in the allocation of resources for tiger conservation.
- Raising Awareness: The tiger census report can draw public attention and international support for conservation efforts.
Latest Tiger Census in India
The 5th cycle of India's Tiger Census , released in April 2022, reported that the tiger population in India had increased to 3,167 in 2022. This is a 200 tiger increase from 2018, when the population was 2,967. The census also showed that the number of tigers has nearly doubled in the last 20 years, from 1,411 in 2006 to 3,167 in 2022.Key Findings from the Current Tiger Census:
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) conducts the census every four years to assess the status of tigers, their prey and co-predators, and their habitats. The primary goal of the assessment is to maintain a balance between wildlife and forests. The 2022 census found that tigers are distributed across India as follows:- Central India: 1,161
- Western Ghats: 824
- Shivalik Range: 804
- North-eastern states: 194
- Sunderbans: 100
Way forward to Tiger Conservation
Here are some ways to help conserve tigers and their habitats:- Enhance forest management practices for better tiger habitat conservation.
- Protect and restore tiger corridors for unrestricted movement.
- Implement evidence-based human-wildlife conflict management strategies.
- Accelerate voluntary village relocations within tiger reserves.
- Adopt an inclusive conservation approach, respecting human rights and other species.
- Research tiger movements and social tolerance in human-dominated areas.
- Develop sustainable infrastructure to minimize habitat disturbances.
- Foster local community support for tiger conservation.
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| International Day of Cooperatives 2024 | NABARD Foundational Day 2024 |
| Nelson Mandela Day 2024 | Guru Purnima 2024 |
International Tiger Day 2024 FAQs
What is International Tiger Day?
International Tiger Day is a global event dedicated to raising awareness about tiger conservation, protecting their habitats, and supporting efforts to increase the global tiger population.
Why is July 29th celebrated as Tiger Day?
July 29th is celebrated as Tiger Day to honour the commitments made at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in 2010. This summit highlighted the urgent need to protect tigers.
International Tiger Day started in which year?
International Tiger Day started in the year 2010. It was established during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit where 13 tiger-range countries committed to doubling the world's tiger population through conservation and protective measures.
What is the theme of International Tiger Day 2024?
The International Tiger Day Theme 2024 is not decided yet and it will released officially soon. It is expected that the theme will highlight the crucial role tigers play in maintaining ecological balance.
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