Organised on the eve of International Tiger Day, the event highlighted the urgent need to protect India's national animal and conserve its natural habitat.
The programme was graced by Dr Sayan Bhattacharya, Director, Indian Museum; Sunil Limaye, former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Government of Maharashtra and Member, Central Empowered Committee; Gargee Roy Chowdhury, actor and Biswajit Roy Chowdhury, nature and wildlife conservationist.
Maya, a book published by Deep Prakashan, was launched, celebrating the legendary tigress of the Tadoba-Andheri Tiger Reserve.
In an address to the gathering, Limaye said, “The tiger sits at the top of the food chain. By protecting the tiger, we protect mankind. The most important role is played by the local indigenous people. Their sacrifices must be compensated.”
Emphasising the issue of human-animal conflict, Limaye highlighted the fragmentation of natural habitat and the adverse influence of developmental projects on wildlife.
Chaudhury and Mukhopadhyay, in their conversation on Maya, said, “This is an allegorical fiction, not a biography of the tigress. We have tried not to humanize the tigress but make the readers empathize with the oppression faced by Maya.”
As part of the public awareness campaign by Environ, two yellow taxis, painted with tiger stripes, were flagged off from the main entrance of the Indian Museum.
They will ply across Kolkata for the next three months, encouraging greater public discourse on protecting the tiger.
A Tiger Conservation Awareness Sticker was also launched to promote active participation in spreading awareness about the ecological significance of tigers.
Sayan Bhattacharya stated: “Through initiatives like this, the Indian Museum seeks to inspire every citizen to become a custodian of nature, ensuring that India’s magnificent tiger continues to thrive as a symbol of shared identity, ecological balance, and national pride.”
Supported by Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Motovolt Mobility, the event reinforced collaborative efforts between the government, citizens and organizations to strengthen wildlife conservation and environmental awareness.
(Reporting by Hrisita Sarkar, Photos by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)