Bhubaneswar: In a historic first for Indian conservation, the unique black tigers of Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve are the subject of the October issue’s cover story in the globally acclaimed National Geographic magazine.
Titled “The Tigers Who Changed Their Stripes,” the story and stunning cover photograph were captured by Indian photographer and National Geographic Explorer, Prasenjeet Yadav.
This marks the first time in the magazine’s 136-year history that a cover story has been both written and photographed entirely in India, by an Indian, and centered on a uniquely Indian phenomenon.
The cover photo is of a black tiger from Similipal, captured after months of patient tracking and documentation. Shri Yadav was granted permission by the PCCF Wildlife and CWLW of Odisha Forest Department to document the black tigers and the state’s tiger translocation efforts.
The publication is a major win for Odisha, as the National Geographic magazine reaches an estimated 6 million monthly readers in print and over 20 million on its digital platforms. With its Instagram account boasting a staggering 280 million followers, the largest for any non-celebrity brand, the story will be seen by tens of millions of people across more than 170 countries.
This global spotlight places Odisha and the Similipal Tiger Reserve at the center of international conservation discussions. Millions worldwide will now be aware that Similipal is the only place on Earth where these pseudo-melanistic tigers survive. The article highlights the crucial role of the Odisha Forest Department in safeguarding this rare population, an effort that has now received historic global recognition.
The state’s leadership, including Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi and Minister for Forest, Environment and Climate Change Shri Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia, expressed happiness over the achievement.
Nature lovers and environmentalists credited the sincere efforts of Team Similipal led by Field Director Similipal Tiger Reserve and ably guided by ACS Home, Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Shri Satyabrata Sahu, for their work in improving the ecosystem and biodiversity of Similipal. The high-profile coverage is expected to provide a significant boost to Odisha’s tourism on a global platform.