Though the tiger was made national animal 43 years ago, there has been an earlier attempt to dislodge it. The NDA government is mulling replacing the tiger as the national animal with lion, the logo of Narendra Modi's Make in India campaign. Parimal Nathwani, a Rajya Sabha member who has considerable clout in the BJP, has convinced Minster of Environment and Forests, Prakash Javadekar, that lion symbolises Indian characteristics better than the tiger.
Nathwani, who was a senior executive with the Reliance Industries before getting elected as an independent MP from Jharkhand, is convinced that lion symbolises the nation from the time of Emperor Asoka.
Javadekar has asked the National Wildlife Board to consider whether a change should be made, drawing the ire of tiger conservation activists. They say tiger habitat extends to 17 states, while the lion is confined to Gujarat's Gir Forest. As Chief Minister of Gujarat, Modi had opposed the Centre's move to create a second habitat for lions in Madhya Pradesh. Now, the proposal is in the backburner.
Though the tiger was made national animal 43 years ago, there has been an earlier attempt to withdraw the ceremonial honour associated with it. In the 1990s, when there were a slew of ivory poaching cases, a proposal was mooted to make elephant the national animal. But the government proposed an action plan to save the pachyderm, leaving the tiger's status intact.
But countries get metaphorically linked to animals and birds for their national characteristics and ambitions. Thus it is the high flying eagle, which symbolises the American dream, while lion is embedded in the English psyche. Russia is called the bear for its strength and temper and China flaunts its dragon tag. When South East Asian countries like Malaysia and Thailand were referred to as Tigers for swift and fierce economic strides. India was always associated with the elephant – huge animal with a slow movement, which takes time but lifts heavy stuff – in the economic context.
The new government wants Indian industry to become more aggressive and move fast like a lion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Germany, last month wanted the lion and eagle to work together, making it clear that he wants India to be the King of the forest. Though his attachment to the animal, which is the pride of Gujarat, is well known, Modi has not said a word on the Nathwani proposal or Javadekar's response. But it would be prudent if the tiger retains its status, even as the admirers of lion should be glad with the prominence it is gaining in government campaigns.
Tailpiece: Few years ago, the Planning Commission proposed tea as the national beverage. But the final approval of government is yet to come. Meanwhile, the commission itself has been replaced by NITI Aayog.
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