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From around 40,000 at the turn of the last century, there are very few tigers left
in India today. The current tiger population of India constitutes over 50% of the
world’s tiger population. The coming years will be extremely crucial for the long
term survival of the tiger.
NDTV-Aircel Save Our Tigers campaign is a social campaign to create awareness about
the alarming state of the tiger in the Country at the moment, encourage tiger conservation
and save tigers from extinction. The campaign is supported by India’s Superstar
Amitabh Bachchan, Sanctuary Asia, India’s premier wildlife magazine and the Wildlife
Conservation Trust, an organisation deeply involved in conserving tiger habitats
across the country.
The campaign provided a platform to tiger conservationists for issues to be raised,
engaged key stakeholders in discussions and provided concerned citizens an opportunity
to voice their opinions and contribute to the cause. Our campaign to save our tigers
ignited people across the country. There were marches, cycle rallies and signature
campaigns demanding that the government act before it's too late.
A series of special tiger programmes were telecast to highlight the situation and
challenges facing our national animal. The campaign in its first year itself, helped
bring forth a common agenda for tiger conservation which was presented to Chief
Ministers of key tiger states, who committed their support to take affirmative action
on-ground.
The first year of the NDTV-Aircel Save Our Tigers campaign culminated with a 12-hour
live telethon. During the telethon, the best minds on tiger conservation appealed
to political leaders and the general public to do whatever they could to help safeguard
the most charismatic of big cats on Earth. As a welcome result of the campaign,
several prominent political leaders, artists, singers, students, conservationists
and celebrities came on air and pledged to protect the tiger.
The Telethon was an overwhelming success and almost 5 Crore rupees was raised through
donations. Hemendra Kothari, Chairman, DSP Blackrock Investment Managers Pvt. Ltd.
and Chairman, Wildlife Conservation Trust pledged to match viewer donation rupee
to rupee.
During the first year, the funds collected were used to provide over 35 Rapid Response
Units [RRU] to Tiger Reserves across the country. Each Rapid Response Unit had over
30 types of different equipment specially tailored for tiger protection including
a customized Mahindra Bolero Camper Vehicle and Hero Motorbikes.
The Second Year was launched with a Car Rally organized by Aircel and the Constitution
Club of India. Parliamentarians and Celebrities raced through the streets of the
capital to raise awareness for the campaign.
Programming in the 2nd year looked to widen the range of features. NDTV tested out
the first of the Rapid Response Units to get an idea as to how this unit would soon
become a key part of wildlife protection. Investigative stories and specials were
broadcast from tiger reserves across the country, trying to seek out answers to
the diminishing plight of our national animal. NDTV’s leading team of environmental
correspondents like Vikram Chandra, Swati Thiyagarajan, Gargi Rawat, Rubina Khan
Shapoo, Ketki Angre and Anjilee Istwal travelled to remote locations to bring us
exclusives, impact stories and special original features.
Special promos and promotional hoardings were created to promote the date of the
second live 12 hour Save Our Tigers telethon. On July 15th 2012, Amitabh Bachchan
returned to host the only telethon to be broadcast from an outdoor location. He
went that extra mile by speaking to the villagers living on the periphery of Ranthambore
National Park to understand their problems.
The biggest names in conservation joined us on one stage to educate the audience
and to endorse our cause. In Year-II, the campaign aimed to create the "Tiger Defence
Unit" in major tiger reserves across the country. We raised almost Rs 6 Cr in pledges
thanks to viewers, corporates and celebrities from across the country. The funds
raised are being utilized for:
- Monitoring the RRUs
- Intensive Training of RRU teams
- Strengthening the guard outposts with Anti-Poaching Camps
- Supporting NGOs
- Additional RRUs
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The Shri Ram School (includes Aravali, Moulsari Avenue & Vasant Vihar) – 10,397
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Delhi Public School (R K Puram & Vasant Vihar) – 11,348
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The Modern School (Vasant Vihar & Barakhamba) – 10,634
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Innisfree House School – 7,738
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Kendriya Vidyalaya, Hebbal – 26,107
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Sindhi High school – 25,342
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A.V. Education Society – 11,783
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BNN High School (includes BNN Public School) – 27,270
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Vidyaniketan Public School – 29,009
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Chinmaya Vidyalaya – 19,368
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Lady Andal Venkatasubba Rao Mat. Hr Sec. School - 4,479
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Maharishi Vidya Mandir - 9,813
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Bhavan's Rajaji Vidyashram - 10,569
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Holy Angels Anglo Indian Hr Sec School - 2,134
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Birla High School for Girls - 22500
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The Future Foundation School – 18,750
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Loreto Day School Dharmatala – 16,500
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St.Joseph's College – 15,000
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Loreto Day School Bowbazar – 25,440
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The donations have closed now. WCT is in the process of sending receipts for all donors.
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Celeb chat
You asked, Amitabh Bachchan answered your Qs
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Highlights
12 hours of photos, videos and updates from the Save our Tigers Campaign.
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Tiger Quiz
Winners of the 12-hour Quizathon
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From among the many photos sent to us by our surfers, Amitabh Bachchan picked the best for the Tiger Wall of Fame at Ranthambore.
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If you have any videos or photos to share, send them to us here.
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Have something to add ? Write in here
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