The Postal Department of Central Government has decided to release a stamp based the tigress-cub image on July 29, on the occasion of World Tiger’s Day.
Nagpur: The mind-blowing image of a tigress caressing her cub in the internationally acclaimed Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve will soon travel all over the world in the form of colourful postage stamp. The Postal Department of Central Government has decided to release a stamp based the tigress-cub image on July 29, on the occasion of World Tiger’s Day.
The State Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar had mounted special efforts and had requested the Centre for a postage stamp on the once-in-a-while captured photograph of the tigress and her cub of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, which is one of the oldest in the country.” We hope that this stamp will be released on July 29, on the occasion of the World Tiger’s Day,” said Mungantiwar adding that the beautiful image has a strong message on conservation and that he was happy to know afterwards that this photograph was taken by Amol Bais who happens to be his neighbour in Chandrapur.
Amol Bais couldn’t hide his enthusiasm as he recollected the first day of 2016 as if it was yesterday. Seated in an open vehicle during the morning safari, he saw Maya, the tigress from Tadoba, getting a ‘hug’ from her cub, and even as he immortalised that moment, he had no clue that months later his iconic image would end up being used on a postal stamp.
Bais, a wildlife photographer and headmaster of a school for tribal students at Durgapur on the periphery of Tadoba Andhari National Park, said his joy knew no bounds when he got to know that State Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar was not only impressed with this adorable picture but has also selected it to be used for the stamp.
Recalling the day, Bais said he was in the jungle for the morning safari, when at around 9 am he saw tigress Maya crouching for a kill, igniting the photographer in him with the hopes of capturing some action shots of beautiful Maya on the hunt. “Somehow the spotted deer in front of her were alerted and they took to their heels, leaving Maya with a dejected look. We too were disappointed and as we heard her growling faintly, her young one emerged from the bushes. I was then looking for a perfect angle, and to my surprise, I saw the cub standing on its hind paws and holding her mother with its front paws as if almost consoling her,” said Bais adding that even as he captured the precious moment between the mother and her cubs even he could not help but get emotional.
Talking to Nagpur Today recently, Bais had claimed that the picture will be printed into stamp tickets very soon. Strangely, no Indian newspaper or publication (other than Nagpur Today) has carried this prized click so far, he added.
He informed that he had captured this rare picture on January 1, 2016 while he was enroute his jungle safari in Pandharpauni.
