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The magnificent tiger, Panthera
tigris (Linnaeus), is a striped animal. It has a thick yellow coat
of fur with dark stripes. The combination of grace, strength,
agility and enormous power has earned the tiger its pride of place
as the national animal of India.
Out of eight races of the species
known, the Indian race - the Royal Bengal Tiger - is found
throughout the country except in the north-western region, and
also in the neighbouring countries, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.
To check the dwindling population of tigers in India 'Project
Tiger' was launched in April 1973.
So
far, 23 tiger reserves have been established in the country under
this project, covering an area of 33,126 sq.kms., where an
estimated 3000 tigers now roam free. |
