International Tiger Day

The International Tiger Day is also called Global Tiger Day. It is observed on July 29 every year as a way to raise awareness about the endangered tiger. The Global Tiger Day was created in 2010 when 13 tiger range countries came together at the St. Petersburg Tiger Summit to establish Tx2 - which is the goal to double the number of wild tigers by the year 2022. The 13 tiger range countries are:- Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam. Tigers are the largest species of cat. There were probably more than 100,000 tigers roaming the earth a century ago. However, by 2010, 95% of the world’s wild tigers were lost to rampant poaching and habitat loss. Only about 3,200 tigers were left. The target is to double the number of wild tigers by 2022, which happens to be the next Chinese year of the tiger. Tigers are important because being part of our planet’s natural heritage, they have great cultural and historical significance. They are crucial to the ecosystem in which they live. As top predators of the food chain, tigers keep the population of prey species in check and maintain the balance between herbivores and the vegetation upon which they feed. Balanced ecosystem is important for the wildlife and people. Conservation of tigers results in the conservation of other species in the same area. Therefore, by protecting tigers, we protect the forests which ultimately benefit us.