The Pench Tiger Reserve, Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, is taking a step further by linking tiger conservation with respect for tribal culture and faith. The reserve’s management will celebrate a tribal event by launching the ‘Baghdev’ campaign to honour the power and spiritual connection of the tigers in tribal traditions. The connection between wildlife, particularly tigers and human culture has been centuries-old. Human communities have always revered wild animals, especially tigers, considering them sacred and offering them a prominent place in their cultural practices. It is possibly this deep respect for tigers that has enabled their survival in India despite numerous challenges, making India home to the largest tiger population in the world. In the conservation of tigers, the role of local communities, especially the tribal ones, has always been critical. Acknowledging the significance of tigers in various aspects of life, these communities have long regarded the tiger as ‘Baghdev’ (Tiger God). On this day, July 29, the world celebrates International Tiger Day to raise awareness about tiger conservation efforts globally, strengthening commitments to their protection. From International Biodiversity Day (May 22) to International Tiger Day (July 29), the Pench management will initiate a new project named ‘Baghdev’.

 

The campaign aims to engage local communities in crafting terracotta tiger figurines. In tribal villages, tigers are still revered as deities, and people offer prayers and seek blessings for prosperity and well-being. Under this initiative, members of 130 Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) in the buffer zone will create tiger figurines from clay. They will receive assistance from local potters from the village of Panchdhar, who specialise in pottery and toys. In addition to crafting tigers, the EDC members will be educated through posters and workshops about the critical role tigers play in preserving nature's elements.

 

These elements, such as oxygen, water, and food, are vital for human survival and are seen as blessings from the tiger. The clay tigers will be placed at a new sacred site near the tiger art installations currently under construction in Khawasa, which will be the center of this spiritual activity. The Reserve management plans to fire these clay tigers in kilns to make them durable and then install them alongside the larger tiger artwork. This initiative not only fosters emotional and cultural connections with the tiger but also opens new employment opportunities for the local potters of Panchdhar. Additionally, tourists and other residents from outside the buffer zone can join this campaign by creating their own clay tigers, writing their names on them, and making wishes to Baghdev. The ‘Baghdev’ campaign will officially kick off on May 22 at 4 pm at the Seoni Collector’s Office. This unique effort highlights the fusion of tiger conservation with local cultural traditions, promoting both wildlife protection and community engagement.