The world celebrates International Tiger Day every year on 29^th July. The tiger enjoys the reputation of being the largest cat in the world. A tiger can be easily identified by the distinctive orange and black stripes on its face and body. International Tiger Day is celebrated all over the world so that we can create awareness about tiger conservation. The aim of this day is to create a global initiative dedicated to protecting tigers and their natural habitats. A safe and rich habitat for tigers means we are preserving other species and our forests. Through International Tiger Day, we can work towards a future where humans and tigers can live peacefully.

History

International Tiger Day was first observed in 2010. With 97% of all wild Tigers having been lost in the last century, currently only about 3,000 tigers are left worldwide. They are on the verge of extinction. The goal of International Tiger Day is to stop the numbers from deteriorating. Habitat loss, climate change, hunting and poaching are some of the factors contributing to the decline of the tiger population. The aim of the day is to conserve these species as well as protect and extend their habitats. Many international organizations like WWF, IFAW and the Smithsonian Institute also celebrate International Tiger Day.

With habitat loss and climate change, tigers are increasingly at odds with humans. Poaching and illegal trade are very serious threats facing wild tigers. Cases of poaching and trafficking are increasing due to the demand for tiger bones, skin and other body parts. This leads to local extinction and recovery of tiger population is nearly impossible. Another threat that has adversely affected tiger populations is habitat loss. Globally we are witnessing tiger habitat loss to roads, human settlements, logging, plantations and agriculture. In fact, only about 7% of the original tiger habitat remains intact today. Experts also worry that the lack of genetic diversity in tigers could lead to inbreeding in small populations. Steady increase in habitat loss means increased conflict between tigers and humans. Today, tigers can roam in large numbers into our zones which is a great cause of concern for us as well as these exotic cats.