CM Bhajan Lal calls for tiger conservation on International Tiger Day
Synopsis
On International Tiger Day, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma called for collective commitment to tiger conservation, highlighting tigers as guardians of biodiversity and ecological balance, with Rajasthan home to the iconic Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.
Key Takeaways
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma posted a conservation message on International Tiger Day, 29 July .
He described tigers as 'vital guardians of biodiversity, natural heritage, and ecological balance' and called conservation a collective responsibility.
Rajasthan hosts Ranthambore Tiger Reserve , one of India's premier tiger habitats under the Project Tiger programme.
Project Tiger was launched in 1973 and remains India's flagship national tiger protection framework.
India committed at the 2010 St.
Petersburg Tiger Summit to double its wild tiger population by 2022, a target met ahead of schedule.
Every year on 29 July, the world pauses to reckon with one of nature's most iconic survivors — and this year, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma used International Tiger Day to call on citizens to commit to protecting tigers and their natural habitats.
Posting in Hindi, CM Sharma wrote: 'बाघ हमारी समृद्ध जैव विविधता, प्राकृतिक विरासत और पर्यावरणीय संतुलन के महत्वपूर्ण संरक्षक हैं' — 'Tigers are vital guardians of our rich biodiversity, natural heritage, and ecological balance.' He framed their conservation as a 'collective responsibility' toward nature, wildlife, and future generations.
Why Rajasthan's voice carries weight in this conversation
Rajasthan is home to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, one of India's most celebrated tiger habitats and a cornerstone of wildlife tourism in the state. The reserve has been a flagship success story under Project Tiger, India's national conservation programme launched in 1973 — now more than five decades old and still the backbone of the country's tiger protection architecture. India made a landmark pledge at the 2010 St. Petersburg Tiger Summit to double its wild tiger population by 2022, a target the country met ahead of schedule according to periodic National Tiger Conservation Authority censuses. Rajasthan's reserve network has been a consistent contributor to that national tally.State-level messaging, national conservation stakes
Statements by state leaders on International Tiger Day are a recognised part of India's federated approach to biodiversity governance — state forest departments and local communities near reserves do the daily work that national policy frameworks mandate. CM Sharma's message aligns Rajasthan visibly with those central conservation goals. The next All India Tiger Estimation report and any Rajasthan-specific habitat management updates will be the real test of whether this commitment translates into on-ground action.Point of View
But it carries political texture: Rajasthan's BJP government is keen to be seen as a steward of Ranthambore's global profile, which drives significant wildlife tourism revenue. The message also dovetails with the BJP's broader 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' environmental branding at the national level. What distinguishes such statements from mere symbolism is follow-through — Rajasthan-specific habitat expansion or buffer-zone policy moves would be the meaningful signal to watch.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is International Tiger Day and when is it observed?
International Tiger Day is observed every year on 29 July to raise global awareness about tiger conservation and the threats facing wild tiger populations.
What did Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma say on International Tiger Day 2026?
CM Sharma called on citizens to pledge protection of tigers and their natural habitats, describing tigers as guardians of biodiversity and framing their conservation as a collective responsibility toward future generations.
Which tiger reserve is located in Rajasthan?
Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan is one of India's most prominent tiger habitats and a major centre for wildlife tourism.
What is Project Tiger in India?
Project Tiger is India's flagship tiger conservation programme, launched in 1973 by the Government of India to protect tigers and preserve their natural habitats across the country.
Has India met its tiger conservation targets?
Yes. India pledged at the 2010 St. Petersburg Tiger Summit to double its wild tiger population by 2022 and met that target ahead of schedule, according to National Tiger Conservation Authority census data.
