On International Tiger Day 2024, Sachin Tendulkar Urges People to Protect the National Animal

A legend in the field of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar is also a wildlife enthusiast and shares a strong fondness for tigers. Often seen going on tiger safaris and exploring the wild, Tendulkar has time and again expressed his love for tigers and also urged his fans to support tiger conservation.

Today, on the occasion of International Tiger Day, he shared a post on Instagram and wrote: “Tigers are deeply rooted in our heritage. They are revered by forest communities as protectors. To take care of them is to take care of our forests, and, by extension, of all of us. Effective wildlife management, anti-poaching efforts, dedicated corridors, and the foot soldiers of our forest department have played a key role in our rising tiger population.”

In his recent blog, the former cricketer shared a detailed account of several effective conservation measures that have taken India’s tiger population to an increase of 24 per cent.

According to The Times of India, he also recalled his recent visit to the Tadoba Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra, where he witnessed three generations of tigers, including Junabai, her offspring, Veera, and Veera’s cubs.

“This quiet yet powerful resurgence is a testament to India’s years-old, science-based Project Tiger, which has borne remarkable results. It is a beautiful example of what the resilience of nature, powered by human intent, can achieve,” he wrote.

Mentioning the impressive numbers achieved by India in the tiger population, Sachin Tendulkar went on to laud the state governments of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra for leading the way. He also took note of a decrease in human-wildlife conflicts along the lines of incentivising the relocation of villagers from core areas.

Sachin Tendulkar Emphasises On Addressing Challenges To Protect Tigers

The cricket legend highlighted the series of ecological and social challenges that the crucial tiger habitat faces in India, stating that developmental projects threaten the fragmented landscape.

“Effective tiger conservation cannot occur without the local communities. This will be the key to achieving sustainable co-existence between humans and tigers. While poaching has declined, it remains a threat, so the forest departments need to continue building their technical capacity,” he added. Asserting that strong, science-based policies, effective governance, government support, clear policy frameworks and collaborative efforts are important to successful conservation, Tendulkar stated that the future of tigers remains in humans’ hands.

“This is a collective responsibility. Tigers are our pride. Let their glory never fade,” he concluded.

Notably, the former Indian cricketer’s illuminating views on tiger conservation come in the wake of International Tiger Day 2024. Besides his insightful thoughts towards animal protection, his social media handle is also a testament to his unwavering attachment to the wild.