In the longstanding mission to protect the diminishing population of tigers, on International Tiger Day 2025, the Department of Zoology, University of Science & Technology Meghalaya (USTM), organized an invigorating day-long awareness programme themed Harmonious Coexistence between Humans and Tigers.

Carrying the torch of tiger protection fervency, the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, under the banner of the National Service Scheme (NSS) Unit and Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), held the event on the premises of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, armed with a series of engaging events after the speeches, such as a street play, an art and drawing competition, and an open quiz competition.  

The programme began with the welcoming of dignitaries to the dais at 10:30 AM, followed by a brief felicitation ceremony. Dr. Aalika B Borah, Head of the Department of Zoology, USTM, delivered the welcome address, setting the tone for the day, followed by the felicitation of the guests.

The event was flagged off at 11:50 AM, with key speakers at the event including Dr. Chandashree Bhuyan who spoke on the Striped Guardian of Our Ecosystem, Dr. Narayan Sharma, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Environmental Biology and Wildlife Science, Cotton University, and Kamal Azad, Former Wildlife Biologist, National Tiger Conservation Authority.

Each speaker accentuated the critical role of tigers in maintaining ecological balance and the need for farsighted conservation measures through public awareness, research, and community participation accentuating how poaching and wildlife trafficking are major threats to tiger populations, how to strengthen law enforcement and anti-poaching efforts, involve the community and education enlightenment to work towards tiger conservation.

On the other hand, The University School of Law and Research, USTM in collaboration with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-India), hosted a graceful prelude to Global Tiger Day featuring a thought-provoking session by the State Coordinator of WWF-India Assam & AP State office, Archita Baruah Bhattacharyya.  The WWF-India volunteers performed a powerful skit, celebrating the tiger, not just as a species, but as a symbol of wild resilience.

Global Tiger Day or International Tiger Day, created in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia by Vladimir Putin, has been thriving in its pursuit to develop a global system for guarding the natural habitats of tigers and to boost public understanding and support for tiger conservation issues.

The University of Science and Technology Meghalaya, recognized with an 'A' Grade by NAAC and ranked in the 151-200 band by NIRF India Rankings 2024, continues its commitment to wildlife conservation and environmental awareness through such collaborative events with fervent allegiance to growing ecological literacy and conservation ethics among youth and the wider community.