Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 8 Aug: To mark International Tiger Day and the 150th Birth Anniversary of legendary conservationist, Jim Corbett, a poignant message for foresters, naturalists and wildlife enthusiasts from Ruskin Bond, India’s most loved author was presented today to Dr Samir Sinha, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, Uttarakhand. The message was sent by the author through Upendra Arora, owner of Natraj Publishers, Dehradun.
The inspiring message appreciates the efforts made by the Forest Department in protecting the habitat of the Tiger, both, within the protected areas and outside.
There are 6000 tigers in the world and India has 3600 as residents which represents 60% of the world population. Uttarakhand alone had 560 tigers as per 2022 census and the number is likely to be more now, owing to the excellent wildlife management practices in the state. In a nation of a billion or more people, with enormous pressure on natural resources, it is amazing that India is still home to the largest surviving wild tiger population on just 3% of the world’s land.
Ruskin Bond while handing over the message to Arora said that Christopher William Corbett, father of Jim Corbett was Postmaster, Mussoorie, and his parents, Christopher and Mary Jane, were married in St Paul’s Church, Mussoorie, in 1859. Jim Corbett was a regular visitor to Mussoorie and even raised a tiger here. Several of his relatives were residents of Mussoorie.
Bond added that the fable of Edward Jim Corbett remains alive in the minds and hearts of the people of Garhwal and Kumaon. People all over the world know Jim Corbett for his fabulous writings as a famous hunter-tuned-conservationist.
