International Tiger Day 2024: Know the date, theme, history, and significance

International Tiger Day, observed on July 29, raises global awareness about tiger conservation and the threats faced by these endangered animals. Established in 2010, the day promotes efforts to protect tigers, celebrate their role in ecosystems, and inspire collective action for their survival.

International tiger day: A powerful platform for mobilizing support and resources for tiger conservation initiatives. (Amit Mehra)

International Tiger Day 2024 Date and Theme: International Tiger Day is a day dedicated to promoting a global system for protecting the natural habitats of tigers and raising public awareness and support for tiger conservation issues. This day has been effective in increasing online awareness about tigers through information searches.

First established in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit, the day highlights the alarming decline in tiger populations and the urgent need for conservation efforts, as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has reported a drastic decline in tiger populations, stating that approximately 100,000 tigers roamed the wild a century ago, while current estimates suggest there are only about 4,000 remaining today, and this number continues to decrease.

Hence, to inspire collective action to ensure the survival of tigers in the wild from threats like poaching, habitat loss, human-tiger conflict, and the illegal wildlife trade, International Tiger Day is marked globally, and awareness is raised through educational programmes, media campaigns, and conservation activities.

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International Tiger Day 2024: Date and History

In 2024, International Tiger Day will be observed on Monday, July 29, with the theme of the day aiming to raise awareness about the conservation of tigers and the urgent threats they face, such as habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.

In the present year, stakeholders are focused on enhancing efforts to combat wildlife crime, expanding protected areas, promoting sustainable livelihoods for local communities, and raising awareness about the plight of tigers.

International Tiger Day 2024: Significance and History

International Tiger Day raises awareness about the critical need for tiger conservation, highlighting threats like habitat destruction and poaching.

Recognising that tigers were facing severe threats, including habitat loss due to deforestation, poaching for their parts, and conflicts with humans, International Tiger Day was launched, with its roots dating back to 2010 during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit.

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It was a global conference, which was held to address the alarming decline in tiger populations and to develop strategies for their conservation. The conference set a bold goal to double the wild tiger population by 2022, a target that emphasized the necessity for immediate and coordinated action.

Educational programs and community events aim to inform and engage people, emphasizing the urgency of conservation efforts to protect these iconic animals.