National Animal of India

National Animal of India - Tiger

The Tiger (Panthera Tigris, Linnaeus) is the national animal of India. Tiger is also called the lord of Jungles. The national animal of India, is a rich-colored well-striped animal with a short coat. As the national animal of India, tiger symbolizes India's wildlife wealth. The combination of grace, strength, agility and enormous power has earned the tiger great respect and high esteem.

Out of the eight races of the species known, the Indian race, the Royal Bengal Tiger is found throughout the country (except the north-western region) and also in the neighboring countries like Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Tigers are now getting extinct. The Government of India, under its "Project Tiger" program, started a massive effort to preserve the tiger population in 1973. Today, the tiger advances as a symbol of India's conservation of itself and its wildlife heritage. Since the launch of "Project Tiger", the tiger population has shown a gradual increase. So far, 23 tiger reserves have been established in the country under this project.

The tiger was adopted as the National Animal by the Indian Board for Wildlife in 1972 in place of the lion. It was selected as a national animal because of its presence in larger parts of the country. It is found in 16 states while the lion is found only in one state. Also, because of  the worldwide importance of the animal, and the need to protect it. Tiger as the National Animal of India symbolizes the power, strength, elegance, alertness, intelligence and endurance of the nation. Tiger has also been long part of Indian mythology and folklore.