Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik captivated crowds on International Tiger Day with a striking 20-foot-long sand tiger sculpture on the shores of Puri beach. The creation, crafted in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), aimed to raise awareness about tiger conservation and the importance of ecological balance.
The artwork, based on this year’s theme “India Strides with the Stripes”, featured one giant tiger and 50 smaller ones, all sculpted using nearly 10 tonnes of sand. Pattnaik and his team completed the installation in just over three hours, attracting widespread attention from both locals and tourists.
Speaking about his initiative, Pattnaik said,
“This 51-tiger sculpture symbolises the critical role tigers play in preserving the environment. Through this collaboration with WWF, we want to spread a strong message about tiger conservation.”
The display wasn’t just visually stunning—it also delivered a powerful environmental message. Tigers, as apex predators, are vital to maintaining the health and balance of ecosystems. The installation urged the public to support efforts that ensure the survival and protection of the endangered species.
Officials from the Puri Forest Division, including the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), and several environmentalists visited the site and praised the initiative for blending art with conservation advocacy.
Each year, International Tiger Day is marked globally on July 29 to highlight the urgent need to protect tigers, whose numbers have declined due to poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict. Pattnaik’s sand art this year reminded all who saw it that saving tigers is not just about preserving a species—but safeguarding an entire ecosystem.
