National Animal of India – Tiger

National Animal of India: India has several official national symbols, including a flag, an emblem, an anthem, a memorial tower, etc. Other symbols that were designated on various occasions include the national animal, bird, fruit, and tree. The tiger (Panthera tigris) is the national animal of India. This status was conferred in 1973. The tiger, considered the Lord of the Jungle, was selected as India’s national animal as it was a symbol of courage and was seen to symbolize the country’s rich wildlife. Read below this article to find out more.

National Animal of India

The National Animal of India

The Royal Bengal Tiger, scientific name Panthera tigris, is the largest living cat species. It has dark vertical stripes on orange fur with a white underside. It is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. As of 2023, the global wild tiger population is estimated to number 5,574 individuals, with most populations living in Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and southwestern China. India’s tiger population was estimated at 2,603–3,346 individuals by 2018. Around 300–500 individuals are estimated in Bangladesh, 355 in Nepal by 2022, and 90 individuals in Bhutan by 2015.

Why Was The Tiger Declared a National Animal of India?

• The Tiger was adopted as national animal of india in 1972 when the Indian Board for Wildlife cast their vote in favour of declaring the Bengal tiger a national animal.
• Tigers can be found in several regions of India, from Gujrat to Meghalaya and Himachal Pradesh to Kerala. In about 16 states, one can find tigers.
• The tiger is known for its steadfastness, agility, and immense power. It is an apex predator and is positioned at the top of the food chain. This speciality of the tiger made it the first choice of the country.

National Animals of India: Scientific Classification

 Below, you can check the scientific classification of tigers:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Carnivora
Family	Felidae
Genus	Panthera
Species	Tigris

National Animal of India: Where is it Found?

Tigers are mainly found across India, like in the Brahmaputra flood plains and northeastern hills, the Western Ghats, the Eastern Ghats, the Central Indian highlands, and the Sivalik-Gangetic flood plain.

The Life Span of a Tiger:

Tigers can live up to 13–14 years in a natural environment, but in captivity, they can live up to 20 years. Generally, females can survive longer than males.

Project Tiger

The project was launched by the government of India on April 1, 1973, to promote the conservation of the tiger. The project has been the largest species conservation initiative of its kind in the world. While the field implementation of the project is done by the project states, protection and management in the designated reserves are done by the project states. The Ministry of Environment and Forests was mandated with the task of providing technical guidance and funding support.

A Few Key Facts About Tigers

Here are a few interesting facts related to tigers.

1. Tigers are the largest specimens in the cat family.
2. There are eight recognised subspecies of tigers. The Bengal tiger The Amur tiger, the Indo-Chinese tiger, the South China tiger, and the Sumatran tiger The Javan tiger, the Caspian tiger, and the Balinese tiger
3. Tigers choose the lowlands and are frequently seen in grasslands, swamps, and mangroves. The sunderban mangrove ecosystem is a rich habitat for royal tigers, and they have adapted by being fervent swimmers.
4. A Bengal tiger has an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years in the wild.
5. In captivity, Bengal tigers can live as long as 18 to 20 years.
6. The Project Tiger Division under the Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Climate Change is dedicated to conservation efforts in a scientific way using advanced technological tools.
7. The first people to embrace the tiger as an important symbol in their culture were the Indus Valley civilizations of Harappa and Mohenjo Daro.
8. The Royal Bengal Tiger ‘was declared the national animal in 1972 on recommendation of the national board for wildlife.
9. The tiger is the national animal of Bangladesh, South Korea, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
10. Nagpur is known as the ‘Tiger Capital of India.’
11. The tiger is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.
12. There is an abrupt fall in the population of tigers due to poaching, hunting, illegal smuggling of tiger skin, and other body parts.
13. To conserve the tiger, the Indian government launched Project Tiger in 1973.

List of National Animals of Some Countries

Countries	National Animal
Afghanistan	Marco Polo Sheep
Australia	Kangaroo
Bangladesh	Royal Bengal Tiger
China	Chinese Dragon
Vietnam	Water buffalo
Spain	Bull
Singapore	Lion

Conclusion

The tiger is the national animal of India. This article provides complete information about its lifespan, habitat, and some interesting facts. This article also highlights some key points related to Project Tiger. Explore the above article to find out more.

FAQs on Tiger: The National Animal of India (Reason and Facts)

1. Which is the national animal of India?

The national animal of India is the royal Bengal tiger. Its scientific name is Panthera tigris. It is primarily found in the Bengal region of India.

2. What is the national logo of India?

The Ashoka Chakra (Ashoka wheel) is the national logo of India. The actual Sarnath capital features four Asiatic lions standing back to back, symbolising power, courage, confidence, and pride, mounted on a circular base.

3. What is our national tree?

The ‘National Tree of India’ is the ‘Banyan’ Tree. It often refers specifically to the Indian banyan, or Ficus benghalensis. The huge tree of Banyan towers over its neighbours and has the widest-reaching roots of all known trees.