UPSC » UPSC CSE Study Materials » National Symbols of India » National Animal of India

National Animal of India

Tigers are the largest of the big cats and the second largest mammal in the world after whales. They are solitary animals, but they must eat every few days and hunt in pairs or groups

India’s national symbols represent the country’s image and were carefully picked. The country and its ethnic culture are defined by its national emblems. The Royal Bengal Tiger has been chosen as India’s national animal. The tiger was a powerful symbol in Hindu mythology and the Vedic era. It was frequently shown as Goddess Durga’s animal conveyance in many incarnations. India is home to 80 percent of the world’s tigers. The Royal Bengal Tiger has appeared on banknotes and postage stamps in India.

India’s National Animal

The beautiful Royal Bengal Tiger is India’s national animal. Panthera  tigris is its scientific name. The Bengal Tiger has a thick golden coat with dark stripes and is a striped animal. The Royal Bengal tiger is a symbol of power, grace, and agility. The Royal Bengal Tiger is majestic, regal, and ferocious all at the same time, making it one of India’s most recognisable carnivores. It’s noted for its mysterious and fascinating characteristics that separate it apart from the rest of India’s wild creatures. It is because of these characteristics that it has been designated as India’s national animal.

Where Can You Find India’s National Animal – Location

The national animal of India can be found primarily in the following locations.

  • Grasslands and dry scrub land are two types of land (Ranthambore in Rajasthan)

  • Rainforests in the tropics and subtropics (Corbett in Uttarakhand/Periyar in Kerala)

  • Mangroves (Sunderbans)

  • Kanha in Madhya Pradesh and Simlipal in Odisha have both wet and dry deciduous forests.

A Tiger’s Life Expectancy

  • In the wild, a Bengal tiger has an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years.

  • The wild specimen has a maximum lifetime of roughly 15 years.

  • Few tigers survive in the wild for more than 15 years because they become too weak to pursue huge animals.

  • Bengal tigers can live for 18 to 20 years in captivity.

Project Tiger

By 1973, the tiger’s population had begun to dwindle at an alarming rate. As a result, in April 1973, Project Tiger was launched in order to conserve the royal and majestic animal. The Project Tiger aims to save them from extinction by preserving biologically significant places as a natural heritage for all time, representing as closely as possible the diversity of ecosystems across the country’s tiger distribution.

The Royal Bengal Tiger is India’s national animal, having been designated as such in April 1973.

During Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s reign, Project Tiger was established in 1973 to safeguard India’s declining tiger population.

Project Tiger’s inaugural director was Kailash Sankhala.

The lion was India’s national animal before to 1973.

At the moment, Project Tiger oversees 50 tiger reserves throughout India.

Why was the tiger designated as India’s national animal?

  1. Because of its grace, strength, agility, and gigantic might, the tiger was chosen as India’s national animal. The government established Project Tiger to conserve tigers on April 1, 1973. It was launched from Uttarakhand’s Jim Corbett National Park.

  2. A national animal is one of the most recognisable symbols of a country’s natural resources. The national animal is chosen depending on a number of factors. The first is how well it symbolises particular characteristics that a country wishes to be associated with.

  3. As part of the nation’s tradition and culture, the national animal should have a long history. Within the country, the national animal should be widely disseminated. Ideally, a national animal should be indigenous to that country and integral to its identity. The national animal is chosen based on the animal’s conservation status, so that stronger efforts may be made to ensure its long-term existence as a result of its official position.

Conclusion

Panthera tigris, the gorgeous tiger, is a striped animal. It has a fur coat that is thick and yellow with dark stripes. The tiger’s grace, strength, agility, and great power have won it the honour of becoming India’s national animal. The Indian race of the animal, the Royal Bengal Tiger, is widespread across the country except in the north-western region, as well as in neighbouring countries Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. ‘Project Tiger was initiated in April 1973 to help India’s declining tiger population. This project has so far resulted in the establishment of 27 tiger reserves around the country, spanning a total area of 37,761 sq km.

faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the UPSC Examination Preparation.

What is the national animal of India?

Ans. Panthera tigris, the gorgeous tiger, is a striped animal. It has a fur coat that is thick and yellow with dark ...Read full

Why was the tiger designated as India's national animal?

Ans. Because of its grace, strength, agility, and gigantic might, the tiger was chosen as India’s national ani...Read full

Where Can You Find India's National Animal?

Ans. The national animal of India can be found primarily in the following locations. ...Read full

What is the life span of India’s National Animal?

Ans. In the wild, a Bengal tiger has an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years....Read full