Kolkata organises tiger photo exhibition

Kolkata, Jan 27 (ANI): In an attempt to create mass awareness on the dwindling tiger population, Kolkata is hosting a six-day photo exhibition to highlight the importance of protecting the wild cats.

The exhibition named 'The World of the Royal Bengal Tiger' is jointly organised by the Sanctuary Asia, Bengal Tiger Line and Wildlife Conservation Trust, to commemorate the Chinese Year of Tiger.

Over 70 photographs, depicting various aspects of wildlife especially the Royal Bengal Tiger and other wild animals, are on display. Photographs of poaching and Tiger deaths are also on display.

"This sanctuary exhibition on tigers could play a vital role in our campaign. These types of exhibitions could provide a nature education and awareness at all levels be it in big cities, small cities or even at schools in small villages...these exhibitions play a key role in order to teach them the importance of our heritage and what contribution they can make in order to improve and preserve it," said Pradip Vyas, Director, Sundarban Biosphere Reserve.

"You can see some excellent photographs, you can see how the tigers and other wild animals are being poached and their skin is sold... our precious wildlife population is threatened this way," said Tithi Haldar, a visitor.

India has half the world's surviving tigers, but their populations have suffered, driven by a demand for tiger skins and bones in China for traditional medicines. (ANI)