A wildlife photography exhibition was held at WelcomArt Gallery, ITC Sonar, from February 14 to 16 to celebrate the completion of 50 years of Project Tiger, which has been a landmark initiative in wildlife conservation. Most of the photographs on display were shot in tiger reserves like Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Tadoba, Sanjay Dubri National Park and Pench among others.
The exhibition was inaugurated in the presence of Andrew Fleming, British deputy high Commissioner; Rowan Ainsworth, consul-general, Australian consulate, actress Gargee Roy Chowdhury, Drithi Banerjee, director of Zoological Survey of India, former cricketer and selector Sambaran Banerjee, music director Debojyoti Mishra, Debanjan Chakrabarti, director east and Northeast, British Council, and Sanjay Budhia, managing director, Patton International Limited. Even the legendary Usha Uthup graced the occasion with her presence.
(L-R): Debanjan Chakrabarti, director- east and Northeast, British Council, Andrew Fleming, British deputy high commissioner, Shiladitya Chaudhury, Sanjay Budhia, managing director, Patton International Limited, Dhriti Banerjee, director, Zoological Survey Of India, actress Gargee Roy Chowdhury and Ketan Sengupta at the inauguration of Striped in Love
The event was also the forum for three photographers — Biswajit Roy Chowdhury, Shiladitya Chaudhury and Ketan Sengupta — to announce a soon-to-be-published coffee table book Roar that commemorates 50 years of Project Tiger and its achievements, challenges and tireless efforts of conservationists to protect these magnificent creatures and their habitats.
The event was held in collaboration with ITC Hotels and Environ and the hotel manager at ITC Sonar, Nitin Bahl, said: “Through the camera lens, this exhibition captures the magnificence of nature’s own. The powerful imagery echoes a call to safeguard the future of our wildlife. Behold, engage and protect. We champion conservation through visual stories that inspire protection and reverence, in keeping with our ethos of Responsible Luxury.”
Biswajit Roy Chowdhury, a conservationist, wildlife expert and founder of Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS), said: “Project Tiger, launched in India in 1973, stands as a pioneering initiative for tiger conservation. Focused on protecting the endangered Bengal tiger, it emphasises habitat preservation and anti-poaching measures. On the completion of 50 years of Project Tiger, we have jointly come up with Striped in Love to showcase some breathtaking canvases from the wilderness, majorly focusing on the Bengal tiger and strongly appeal for the imperative need of tiger conservation.”
‘Nothing compares to the raw emotion captured in the lens of these tiger photographs’ said Gargee Roy Chowdhury
While the photos on display had everyone in awe, Gargee Roy Chowdhury said: “As an actress, I’m accustomed to immersing myself in various roles, but nothing compares to the raw emotion captured on the lens of these tiger photographs. ‘Striped in Love’ unveils the untamed beauty of these majestic creatures. Through the lenses of the photographers, we witness their struggles, their resilience, and their sheer magnificence. It’s a powerful reminder of our responsibility to protect and preserve such endangered species.”
Another one of those that had his pictures up on display was Shiladitya Chaudhury, a restaurateur and communications consultant, who said: “The majestic Bengal tiger embodies strength, power, courage and independence in various cultures and contexts around the world. It signifies not only a celebration of nature’s grandeur but also sets a reminder of our collective responsibility to ensure the continued existence of these awe-inspiring animals. Project Tiger is not just a success story; it is a symbol of hope for conservation efforts worldwide. It stands as a testament to what can be achieved when passion, knowledge and dedication converge in the pursuit of a common goal. Our exhibition is a deep appreciation for the tiger and a renewed commitment to protect it for generations to come.”
Giving a background to the pictures he had on display, Ketan Sengupta a wildlife photographer, elocutionist and real estate professional said: “Through the lens of my passion, I capture the silent grace and fierce beauty of the tiger, a symbol of untamed wilderness. In every stripe lies a story of resilience and wonder, reminding us of the delicate balance we must consider. May the exhibition, ‘Striped in Love’ serve as a call to action, inspiring all of us to stand as guardians of the wild, ensuring that future generations too can marvel at the striped magnificence.”
Usha Uthup held up a placard saying ‘Don’t Strike off these Stripes’ an important message on the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger
The exhibition was curated by Korak Basu who spoke about the need to take responsibility to preserve biodiversity, Korak said that ‘Striped in Love’ serves as a poignant reminder of the critical need for continued conservation efforts, echoing the objectives of Project Tiger. Through compelling imagery, it fosters empathy, stirring viewers to recognise the interconnectedness of ecosystems and humanity’s responsibility to preserve biodiversity. By capturing the essence of tigers in their natural habitat, this exhibition transcends mere documentation, fostering a deeper understanding of their ecological significance and the urgency of conservation actions to ensure their survival for generations to come. May they inspire action and ignite a collective resolve to safeguard the future of our planet's wildlife.”
Those who visited the exhibition were able to immerse themselves in the beauty that nature has to offer and learn more about the importance of the tiger in maintaining ecological balance. Project Tiger in its 50th year has been crucial in wildlife conservation and stands as one of the most successful initiatives in conservation while also playing an integral role in inspiring similar conservation efforts in different parts of the world.
