July 30,2015

In 2006, the Tiger population was reported at 1411…in 2010 the count went up to 1706 and in 2014 the tiger population went up to 2226.

NDTV- Aircel with Dia Mirza and Wildlife Tiger Experts

To celebrate this increase in tiger population NDTV-AIRCEL ‘SAVE OUR TIGERS’ campaign in its 4thyear organised a special event on the occasion of World Tiger Day today.

Save our Tigers Campaign NDTV- Aircel

Viharin.com- Outstanding Contributors receiving awards

Organized by NDTV- Aircel, this event was a huge success supported by massive crowd at The Imperial Hotel, Delhi.  Save Our Tiger campaign was launched in March 2010, aimed at spreading awareness about the state of the big cats in the country. The campaign received great support and response from people across the country. Minister of State of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar supported the cause along with Bollywood actress Dia Mirza and singer Kailash Kher. The event felicitated people who have done exemplary work on the ground for India’s wildlife.

Save Our Tigers T-shirts

After a warm welcome by Vikram Chandra, Group CEO of NDTV, Dia Mirza and Anupam Vasudev, Chief Marketing Officer of Aircel launched T- shirts of Save Our Tigers campaign as ‘Shoot Selfies not Tigers’. Dia Mirza having contributed strongly to this cause shared her experiences of how young kids are receptive and responsive to this cause. She has also taken sessions with women in Save Our Tigers campaign. 

Vikram Chandra, Swati Thiyagrajan&Dia Mirza with the Wildlife &Tiger Experts in a Panel Discussion

As part of the fourth edition, a panel discussion hosted by Vikram Chandra and Swati Thiyagarajan, Environment Editor , NDTV was organized with eminent Wildlife and Tiger experts at The Imperial Hotel, New Delhi. The panelists included Bittu Sahgal, Founding Editor, Sanctuary Asia; Anish Andheria, President, Wildlife Conservation Trust; Vivek Menon, CEO, Wildlife Trust of India; Bishan Singh Bonal, Member Secretary, National Tiger Conservation Authority; Dr Y.V. Jhala, Wildlife Institute of India and Qamar Qureshi, Wildlife Institute of India.  Photos by renowned wildlife photographers were on display to showcase various facets of the big cat.

Dia Mirza at NDTV- Aircel Save our Tigers

There was a strong concern related to the awareness of the unstability corridor for Tigers to move around the country. Concerns were raised regarding the issues caused by inbreeding due to corridors becoming unstable for Tigers. Although the numbers have increased but we as a country have to continue supporting the cause and spread awareness on the way. India being home to 70% of world’s Tiger feels proud of increase in numbers while being consistent in efforts to not only sustain but better the environment for healthy living of the Big Cat.

There are still certain unreported areas where we are not even aware of the population of Tigers. CCTV cameras have been installed in sanctuaries to keep strong vigilance on movement of Tigers and human interventions.

Vikram Chandra, Group CEO- NDTV

On World Tiger Day, Vikram Chandra, Group CEO of NDTV said, “Focus of our ground forces in the various tiger reserves around the country, tiger biologists and conservationists has led to the increase in numbers that were created from a GROWING man-animal conflict, management of tiger POPULATIONS and the forests and corridors that lie outside protected areas and yet are home to hundreds of tigers, both resident and transient. The tremendous support that our campaign has received from children has strengthened our resolve to protect the tiger for our future generations. We are proud of the fact that the sustained campaign by NDTV & Aircel HAS BEEN PART OF THIS INCREDIBLE JOURNEY.”

Speaking on the occasion, Anupam Vasudev, Chief Marketing Officer of Aircel said, “Aircel has been passionately working towards the cause of tiger conservation for several years with noted conservationists and expert organizations, canvassing support from people all over the country. Our initiative, ‘Save Our Tigers’ travels to the remotest parts of the country with various focused programs and has touched millions of Indians through its journey so far. Tigers are irreplaceable and are extremely important to secure the environment for our future generations, and our celebration of World Tiger Day is a testament to our commitment to the cause, through which we wish to reach out to more people than ever.”

Kailash Kher at NDTV- Aircel Save our Tigers

The campaign is supported by superstar Amitabh Bachchan, Sanctuary Asia, India’s premier wildlife magazine and the Wildlife Conservation Trust, an organization deeply involved in conserving tiger habitats across the country. NDTV was the first to show how forest guards who man our forest wealth live, by doing extensive filming which showed the everyday challenges they face.

NDTV also did a 12-hour television event near a national park to raise funds for conservation. In the second year, we highlighted the impact of the campaign and continued to re-iterate the challenges, demanding commitments from the Chief Minsters of all tiger states and engage all stakeholders in a dialogue.

Nidhi KM

©Vharin.com

Some more photographs

With Dia Mirza

with Vikram Chandra- News anchor and group CEO of NDTV