ITANAGAR, 29 Jul: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday said that India’s success in protecting tigers demonstrates that sustained conservation efforts can deliver tangible results.
In a social media post on the occasion of the International Tiger Day, Khandu urged people to reaffirm their resolve to safeguard big cats and their fragile ecosystem.
“On International Tiger Day, let us renew our commitment to protecting the majestic tiger and preserving its natural habitat,” he said.
Khandu said India, which is home to the world’s largest wild tiger population, has shown that “dedicated conservation efforts can make a real difference.”
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein also stressed the need to protect the tiger, describing it as one of nature’s most magnificent creations.
“On International Tiger Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to protecting one of nature’s most magnificent creations,” Mein said in a social media post.
He said Arunachal Pradesh is endowed with some of India’s richest tiger habitats, where pristine forests and rich biodiversity provide a haven for the species.
“Conserving the tiger means conserving our forests and the ecological balance that sustains us all,” Mein said, adding that protecting the big cat is intrinsically linked to safeguarding the environment and biodiversity.
International Tiger Day, observed every year on 29 July, seeks to raise global awareness about the need to conserve tigers and their habitats.
YMCR marks Int’l Tiger Day with plantation drive
The Youth Mission for Clean River (YMCR) and the Abralow Memorial Multipurpose Society, with support from the Itanagar Smart City Development Corporation Limited, jointly organised a plantation drive at the Government Upper Primary School (GUPS), Lobi, on Wednesday as part of efforts to spread the message of environmental conservation across all sections of society.
The programme, held to mark the International Tiger Day, aimed to instil a sense of environmental responsibility among the younger generation and inspire students to work towards a more sustainable future.
Speaking on the occasion, YMCR vice chairman Keyom Doni said that initiatives like the plantation drive are essential to nurture environmental consciousness from a young age. “Children who grow up understanding the value of trees and clean rivers become the strongest custodians of our environment tomorrow. Marking International Tiger Day with our young students at Lobi is a reminder that conservation is not just about protecting a species, but about protecting the entire ecosystem that sustains us,” he said, urging students to carry the message of conservation to their homes and communities.
Alongside the plantation drive, a quiz competition was conducted to give students greater exposure and encourage learning beyond the classrooms. The quiz covered themes of environmental conservation, as well as the heritage, geography, current affairs, and cultures of Arunachal Pradesh. A total of 21 students, divided into eight teams, took part in the competition.
The first position was jointly won by Rou Yangfo, Hakan Payeng, and Asha Nilling, while the second position was jointly secured by Tatung Omang and Nitu Karjee.
The in-charge of GUPS Lobi appreciated the efforts of the NGO and commended the volunteers for their dedicated service in helping students gain new knowledge and experience. (With PTI input)
