National Symbols Of India

National Animal

Panthera Tigris- National Animal of India

Denoted with the terminology the lord of jungles, tiger is India’s national animal. This animal is symbolic of the country’s rich wildlife as national animal of the country. As this animal symbolizes the unmatched mix of strength, elegance, dexterity and extremely energetic attitude it is known in the world for being a prominent animal which is considered a graceful animal. According to estimations India remains home to approximately half of all tigers found in the world the government took an initiative to protect this wild animal through launching Project Tiger in 1973.
Royal Bengal Tiger is one of the eight major races of tiger found in India. This race is found in each and every part of the world except northwestern India. Benefits of launching Project Tiger in 1973 benefitted too much which can be best observed through the steady increase in its population. According to 1993 census India had 3,750 tiger population. Establishment of 23 tiger reserves under the Project Tiger in various regions of the country covered nearly 33,406 sq. kilometer area. It is unfortunate though that the negligence of government officials and constant poaching practices caused decrease in tiger population though which is a matter of grave concern. A few tiger reserves even don’t have a single tiger.

Scientific name of tiger is Panthera tigris which come under the Felidae family of wildlife animals. This is one of the biggest one from the four big cats Panthera genus animals. Usually the length of a tiger is 13 feet while common weight is 150 kilograms. Recognition of a tiger which distinguishes it from the rest four big cats category is the dark vertical stripes pattern whose edging near-white to reddish-orange fur makes it unique. A predator and carnivore by nature usually tigers remain distinct animals. It belongs to the eastern and southern Asian region.

Choice of Tiger as National Animal

Too much power, grace, royal approach and alertness are the features of tiger which augured for it being chosen as India’s national animal. This animal was also chosen as the only animal as country’s national animal due to its identity of the jungle’s king. Tiger already has the identity of royal animal since time immemorial hence remains in the limelight for that identity. Of course it being the country’s national animal is the symbol of strength, power, alertness, royalty and thorough intelligence to symbolize the country’s patience and prosperity.

Declining Population of Tiger

It is ironic that there is fast decline in the tiger population worldwide. Such cases are due to illegal activities from the smuggling of different parts of the tiger’s body and skin. That is why population of tiger has increased in the world nowadays. As the estimates of the World Census of Tigers describe mere 5000 -7000 tigers are available worldwide in the present context. The countries from Bangladesh, Nepal, China, Bhutan, and Myanmar have claimed for 3000 to 4500 tiger population while 2500 to 3750 tigers are in India itself hence it has the distinction of half of the population.

Project Tiger in India

Indian Government initiated Project Tiger in 1973 by keeping in view the fast extinction threat of various tiger species in India. This project had main focus to take measures to preserve those tigers that existed so did the government took steps to increase the breeding of all the tiger species with an aim to increase population of all existing tigers. The government used 33,406 sq. km land area throughout the country to establish the 23 tiger reserves under such project to offer all sorts of support, safety and comfort to these wild animals. They were provided with best natural environment for survival and breeding. India has seen ample improvement in the population of tigers which have been investigated in 1993 census. Although the population has increased but it is still not satisfactory when compared to the efforts made by the government through all sources. Such things are due to the cases of illegal poaching that cause illegally and authorities taking no serious steps in this regard. It is definitely a major case of concern.