Observed every year on July 29, International Tiger Day highlights the global fight to protect one of the world’s most endangered big cats

International Tiger Day, also known as Global Tiger Day, is observed every year on July 29 to raise awareness about tiger conservation and encourage efforts to protect the species from extinction. The day was established in 2010 during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia, where tiger-range countries committed to doubling the global wild tiger population through coordinated conservation measures.

The annual observance focuses on protecting tiger habitats, strengthening anti-poaching initiatives and promoting sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife.

Why International Tiger Day is observed

International Tiger Day was launched in response to the alarming decline in global tiger numbers caused by habitat destruction, illegal wildlife trade, poaching and human-wildlife conflict.

The campaign aims to:

• Raise awareness about the importance of tiger conservation.

• Protect and restore critical wildlife habitats.

• Strengthen anti-poaching enforcement.

• Promote conservation policies involving governments and local communities.

• Encourage sustainable development that safeguards biodiversity.

Conservationists believe protecting tigers also helps preserve forests, rivers and ecosystems that support countless other species.

India remains home to the world's largest tiger population

India is regarded as the global stronghold of wild tigers, hosting the largest tiger population in the world across dozens of protected reserves.

The country has significantly expanded its tiger conservation efforts through Project Tiger, enhanced habitat management, scientific monitoring, stricter anti-poaching measures and increased community participation.

Madhya Pradesh leads as India's 'Tiger State'

For Madhya Pradesh, often referred to as the "Tiger State of India," International Tiger Day carries special significance.

The state is home to renowned tiger reserves including Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Satpura, Panna, Sanjay-Dubri, Veerangana Durgavati, Madhav and Ratapani, making it one of India's most important tiger conservation landscapes.

On the occasion, wildlife authorities, forest departments, schools and conservation organisations organise awareness campaigns, educational programmes, nature walks and public outreach activities to promote wildlife protection.

In Bhopal and nearby protected areas, special events are expected to highlight the importance of conserving forests and protecting tiger habitats for future generations.

Conservation beyond a single species

Wildlife experts describe tigers as an umbrella species, meaning that conserving tiger habitats also protects numerous other animals, birds, plants and water resources.

Healthy tiger populations are considered indicators of healthy forests, making tiger conservation crucial for maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity.

Global call for collective action

International Tiger Day serves as a reminder that governments, conservation organisations, local communities and citizens all have a role in ensuring the survival of wild tigers.

As the world marks the occasion today, conservationists continue to emphasise that sustained habitat protection, stronger law enforcement and public awareness remain essential to securing a future for the species.

Wildlife enthusiasts, fitness lovers, and families in Bhopal are set to come together for Run for Tiger 2026, a special awareness run dedicated to tiger conservation and wildlife protection. The event will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2026, with participants covering a 5-kilometre route beginning and ending at Van Bhawan.

Organised to spread awareness about the importance of protecting India's national animal and preserving forests, the event combines fitness with a strong environmental message. The run is open to people of all age groups and aims to inspire greater public involvement in wildlife conservation.

Event Schedule

• Date: Sunday, July 26, 2026
• Reporting Time: 7:00 AM
• Run Starts: 7:00 AM
• Distance: 5 KM
• Starting & Finishing Point: Van Bhawan, Bhopal

Route

Participants will begin the run from Van Bhawan, proceed towards Mata Mandir, continue in front of Arera Club, and return to Van Bhawan, where the event will conclude.

The route has been planned to ensure a smooth experience while promoting awareness among residents across one of the city's busiest stretches.

Free Participation

One of the highlights of Run for Tiger 2026 is that registration is completely free. The event welcomes:

• Professional and amateur runners
• Students
• Families
• Fitness enthusiasts
• Wildlife and nature lovers
• Citizens who wish to support conservation efforts

Participant Benefits

Everyone taking part in the event will receive:

• Free entry to Van Vihar National Park and Zoo on July 26, 2026
• Digital (e-) Certificate of Participation

These benefits are intended to encourage more citizens to engage with wildlife conservation while experiencing one of Bhopal's most popular nature destinations.

Promoting Tiger Conservation

The primary objective of the event is to create awareness about tiger conservation and the protection of natural habitats.

India is home to the world's largest wild tiger population, and Madhya Pradesh is widely known as the "Tiger State of India" due to its significant tiger population and extensive forest reserves. Through initiatives like Run for Tiger, organisers hope to inspire people—especially young citizens—to become active participants in protecting wildlife and preserving biodiversity.

A Community Initiative

The event is expected to attract hundreds of participants from across Bhopal, bringing together the city's running community, students, environmental groups, and families under one common cause.

By combining physical fitness with environmental awareness, Run for Tiger 2026 aims to send a strong message that wildlife conservation is a shared responsibility.

Residents are encouraged to arrive on time, wear comfortable running gear, stay hydrated, and participate in making the event a success.

A viral video from Mandi's Rewalsar shows a monkey holding a stray puppy 20 feet above the ground, sparking debate over changing animal behavior.

 A viral video showing a monkey carrying a stray puppy up a tree in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district has triggered widespread discussion online and among local residents. The incident, which took place in the Rewalsar area, filmed a primate holding the young canine nearly 20 feet above the ground on a tree branch, keeping locals on the edge for several minutes.

Tense moments in Rewalsar

The incident occurred over the weekend when onlookers noticed a rhesus macaque lifting a small stray puppy. Within moments, the monkey scaled a nearby tree, balancing the puppy in its arms.

Witnesses gathered beneath the tree, anxious that the primate might drop the young animal. However, onlookers noted that the puppy remained surprisingly calm throughout the ten-minute ordeal, showing no visible signs of panic or struggle while perched high above the ground.

Locals flag safety worries

While the unusual encounter ended peacefully, it has left the local community divided. Some residents view it as a rare display of interspecies affection, while others see it as a warning sign of unpredictable wildlife behavior in human-dominated spaces.

"When the monkey climbed the tree carrying the puppy, everyone present became concerned about its safety," said Ajay Surya, a resident of Rewalsar who witnessed the event. "The monkey was sitting nearly 20 feet above the ground. If it had dropped the puppy, the fall could have been fatal. Fortunately, it brought it down safely and released it."

Surya added that while this specific incident concluded without injury, it has renewed anxieties among parents regarding the safety of young children playing outdoors, given the high population of monkeys in the town.

Experts point to maternal instinct

Wildlife enthusiasts suggest the behavior might stem from deep-rooted biological drives rather than aggression. The gentle handling of the canine has led observers to believe the primate may have been a female driven by maternal instincts.

Narendra Saini, a wildlife enthusiast and president of the Devbhoomi Environment Protection Forum, noted that such cross-species interactions, though rare, are documented. "There have been several instances in the past where animals have shown affection toward the young of other species. After watching the viral video, it appeared to me that the monkey may have been female. Female monkeys display stronger nurturing instincts," Saini explained.

Changing patterns in wildlife

The incident has also caught the attention of forest officials, who view it through the lens of shifting environmental conditions and increasing human-wildlife interface.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) and wildlife expert S.S. Kashyap stated that altering climate patterns and habituation to human environments are modifying traditional animal behavior. "Monkeys are highly intelligent animals and are quick to imitate behaviors, much like humans. Even species that are generally considered rivals can sometimes display friendly or affectionate behavior toward one another," Kashyap said.

The puppy, confirmed to be a local stray, was left completely uninjured after the monkey carefully descended the trunk and placed it back on the ground before retreating into the canopy.