29-07-2025
PTR skips Int'l Tiger Day amid rising human-wildlife conflicts
Pilibhit: The Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) did not celebrate International Tiger Day, observed annually on July 29 across 13 tiger-range countries, citing recent man-wildlife conflicts in which seven people lost their lives.
The event was shifted to Lucknow, said DFO Manish Singh on Tuesday, adding, "As a state-level event was organised at Lucknow zoo, we dropped the idea of celebrating the day at PTR."
PTR had previously earned global recognition by winning the prestigious TX2 award in 2020 for doubling its tiger population from 25 in 2014 to 65 by 2018. This year's theme, "Securing the future of tigers with indigenous people and local communities at the heart," stood in sharp contrast to the tense situation on the ground.
A senior forest officer, on the condition of anonymity, said, "The main reason behind the event's cancellation was a series of human deaths between May 14 and July 17 in villages bordering PTR. In addition to that, there was local communities' intense aggression against the tigers straying into agricultural fields."
However, wildlife enthusiasts criticised the decision. Srajit Awasthi, a wildlife enthusiast, said, "We are disappointed by the event's cancellation. The authorities missed an opportunity to acknowledge community concerns and address systemic issues like staff shortages, funding gaps, and overpopulation."
Shivam Kashyap, a lawyer, said that engaging with villagers during the event could have paved the way for meaningful dialogue and solutions.
