Bhubaneswar: Nandankanan Zoological Park on Wednesday observed International Tiger Day with a series of awareness, educational and conservation programmes aimed at promoting tiger protection and encouraging greater public participation in wildlife conservation.
Odisha Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia attended the event as the chief guest and stressed the importance of collective efforts to conserve tigers and their natural habitats.
Addressing the gathering, the minister said International Tiger Day serves as an important platform to raise public awareness about the need to protect tigers and strengthen conservation initiatives. He said Nandankanan has been playing a significant role in spreading the message of harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife through education, community engagement and conservation programmes.
The celebrations began with the launch of a signature campaign and a tiger conservation pledge, urging visitors to reaffirm their commitment towards safeguarding India’s national animal and its habitat. The zoo also introduced a “One Question-One Answer-One Prize” mobile awareness campaign, designed to educate visitors on tiger conservation through quizzes and interactive rewards.
As part of the programme, tiger keepers of Nandankanan were felicitated for their contribution to wildlife conservation. Winners of a Sit and Draw competition organised to mark the occasion were also honoured.
A range of educational activities was conducted throughout the day, including interactive sessions by animal keepers on tiger care and conservation, storytelling events for children and a mini zoo-keeper programme that provided students with hands-on learning about tiger biology, behaviour and conservation.
Experts delivered lectures on tiger conservation, while zoo volunteers staged street plays highlighting the importance of protecting the species. A tiger-themed selfie point set up within the zoo emerged as a major attraction for visitors.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden Prem Kumar Jha, Nandankanan Zoological Park Director Sanat Kumar, Deputy Director Pradeep Mirase, students, wildlife enthusiasts, conservation experts and visitors participated in the day-long programme.
