The management of Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Madhya Pradesh used this Rakshabandhan as an opportunity to spread awareness about the protection and conservation of tigers. For this, in the villages and small towns surrounding the reserve, sisters wore tiger masks while tying Rakhi to their brothers.
PTR said in a post on ‘X’, “For the third consecutive year, Pench Tiger Reserve has celebrated the festival of Rakshabandhan in a unique way as Tiger Protection Day. Continuing the tradition, this time we are celebrating Tiger Protection Day in 130 villages, some small towns near the Tiger Reserve including Seoni and Chhindwara district headquarters, in which Rakhi is being tied among the villagers and society by wearing tiger masks. This Rakhi thread symbolizes the protection of tigers and wildlife like the brother-sister relationship.
Just like a sister ties Rakhi for her brother’s long life and her own safety, similarly we all have promised today that we will protect the tigers and other wildlife of our forests. This unique Rakshabandhan is not just a festival, but a resolution – to protect our forests and wildlife, to contribute to their protection. Let us all together become protectors of tigers on this Rakshabandhan, because their safety is our responsibility.
In this video shared by Pench Tiger Reserve, sisters wearing tiger masks are tying Rakhi to their brothers.