Mangalore: S Santhappa, Chief Conservator of Forests of Mangalore Division, said protection of the national animal Tiger was the responsibility of each and every citizen of the land.

Speaking after inaugurating International Tiger Day celebrations at the Pilikula Nisaragadhama on Sunday, he said Karnataka has the highest tiger population in the state and that the Nagarahole, Bandipur, Chamrajnagar, Muttodi areas are tiger reserves. Presently, talks are underway to convert Kudremukh National Park area into a tiger reserve, he added.

MS Mahabaleshwar Bhat, General Manager of Kanata Bank, H Jayaprakash Bhandari, Director of Dr Shivaram Karnath Biological Park and JR Lobo, Executive Director of Pilikula, were present on the occasion.

Dr NA Madhyastha conducted a quiz for students on the occasion.