Tiger Day 2025— On the occasion of International Tiger Day, a vibrant celebration unfolded at the Alipore Zoological Gardens in Kolkata, where forest officials, environmentalists, frontline forest guards, and grassroots volunteers were honored for their unwavering commitment to wildlife and tiger conservation in West Bengal.
Organized by the West Bengal Forest Department in collaboration with the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and supported by various eco-NGOs, the event served as a heartfelt tribute to the state’s unsung “Green Warriors” — those working tirelessly to protect one of the world’s most iconic and endangered species.
Tiger Day 2025: A Global Call for Conservation
International Tiger Day, observed annually on July 29, commemorates the signing of the St. Petersburg Declaration in 2010. This global agreement was created to double the population of wild tigers by 2022, a target that many Indian states, including West Bengal, have actively worked toward.
India is home to nearly 75% of the world’s tiger population, and states like West Bengal — with the famed Sundarbans Reserve — play a crucial role in preserving this majestic predator.
The Felicitation Ceremony
Held in the lush green amphitheater of Alipore Zoo, the event was attended by:
- Forest Minister Birbaha Hansda
- Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Debal Ray
- Representatives from WWF-India, Wildlife Trust of India, and WWTI
- Dozens of schoolchildren and eco-club volunteers
A total of 32 individuals and groups were felicitated under different categories including:
- Best Forest Range Officer
- Outstanding Anti-Poaching Guard
- Community Eco-Volunteer Leadership
- Sundarbans Mangrove Restoration Team
- Student Eco Innovator of the Year
“The work done in the shadows — protecting cubs, patrolling dangerous river belts, educating villagers — is invaluable,” said Forest Minister Hansda.
Green Warriors Honored
Some of the most moving moments came from the personal stories of the awardees:
- Sangita Mondal, a young woman from Gosaba, was honored for leading mangrove replantation drives across the cyclone-hit Sundarbans.
- Rohit Sarkar, a forest beat guard, was credited with saving a tiger cub trapped in a net laid by illegal poachers.
- The Chowrangi Eco-Club, formed by tribal students, received a commendation for creating tiger awareness murals across 17 villages.
Their awards included certificates, cash prizes, tiger statuettes made of recycled clay, and lifetime passes to national parks.
The Sundarbans: Bengal’s Tiger Stronghold
The Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (STR), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world’s only mangrove tiger habitat, remains the crown jewel of West Bengal’s conservation efforts.
Recent data shows:
- Estimated tiger population in STR (2024): 103 (up from 96 in 2020)
- Poaching incidents: Near-zero in past 3 years
- Human-wildlife conflict zones reduced due to fencing, awareness drives, and early-warning systems
Dr. Arpita Mukherjee, a field ecologist with NTCA, noted,
“The Sundarbans are not just about tigers. It’s a symbol of coexistence, resilience, and climate adaptability.”
Tiger Conservation Challenges in West Bengal
Despite success stories, several challenges remain:
| Problem | Description |
|---|---|
| Climate Change | Rising sea levels threaten tiger habitat in the Sundarbans |
| Poaching | Though declining, it remains a threat via traps and poisoned bait |
| Human-Tiger Conflict | Tigers straying into villages due to habitat loss or cyclones |
| Illegal Fishing & Timber | Depletes food sources and disrupts ecosystem balance |
| Tourism Pressure | Unregulated tourism can disturb tiger behavior and breeding |
Forest Department’s Current Strategy
The West Bengal Forest Department has intensified efforts in 2024–2025 by implementing:
- Drone Surveillance in core zones
- GPS Collaring of Tigers for movement tracking
- Solar fencing in conflict-prone areas
- Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) stationed in vulnerable villages
- Livelihood support for communities living near tiger zones
In the past year, over 120 awareness workshops were conducted, reaching 20,000+ villagers.
Tiger Numbers: Bengal vs India
| State | 2024 Tiger Count |
|---|---|
| Madhya Pradesh | 785 |
| Karnataka | 634 |
| Uttarakhand | 580 |
| West Bengal | 103 (Sundarbans) |
| Assam | 210 |
Though Bengal’s number appears lower, it’s critical because Sundarbans tigers are genetically distinct and adapted to swimming and saline water.
Youth Involvement & School Outreach
To ensure the next generation carries forward the conservation ethos, the Forest Department introduced:
- ‘Tiger Tracks’ Eco-Education Bus touring schools
- Tiger-themed short film contest for students
- Mobile app for reporting wildlife sightings
- Campus Ambassadors Program to spread tiger awareness
Children attending the felicitation event drew tiger-themed posters and joined in a pledge:
“Protect Forests, Protect Tigers, Protect Our Future.”
Global and Local Partnerships
Several global organizations joined the state’s initiative this year, including:
- WWF India — Donated camera traps and training
- UNDP — Funding eco-tourism pilot zones
- JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) — Supporting mangrove replenishment
- British Council — Curating Tiger Tales, a storytelling project
Quotes That Mattered
“Each tiger saved is a forest saved. And each forest saved is a step toward saving ourselves.” – Debal Ray, PCCF
“Tiger Day should not be just a day of symbolism, but a reminder that conservation must be constant.” – Dr. Rupali Dey, Tiger Biologist
“Today’s green warriors are tomorrow’s Earth defenders.” – Forest Minister Birbaha Hansda
External Resources
- West Bengal Forest Department
- National Tiger Conservation Authority
- WWF India Tiger Conservation
- Sundarbans Tiger Reserve Info
Expert Takeaways
Tiger conservation is not just about protecting a charismatic species; it is:
- A climate resilience strategy
- A biodiversity protection mechanism
- A symbol of environmental governance
- A people-inclusive, grassroots-driven mission
Looking Forward
With threats looming from urbanization and global warming, tiger protection demands long-term political commitment, ecological funding, and continuous grassroots engagement.
The felicitation of Bengal’s green warriors is both recognition and reminder — the fight to keep the tiger alive is a fight for our shared future.
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