Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Tiger Blogfest 2010 - 1st Announcement : Call for Participation (updated)
Dear blogging friends,
Since 1896, our nation had adopted the tiger in its emblems, crests and coat-of-arms. The king of our jungle. The symbol of courage, strength, bravery, agility and beauty. So majestic that they grace the crests of the government, universities, and private corporations. The national animal without a doubt. OUR HERITAGE.
But what have we done with our national icon. We have already killed more than 80% of them. By clearing forests without proper planning, we have deprived them of their homes. Hunting has decimated many (please watch this video of how cruel hunters are). Now there are less than 500 tigers left in the wild. And if the current rate of habitat destruction and poaching continue, these remaining tigers will be wiped out rather soon (perhaps by year 2020 when we all can be proud and call ourselves a developed nation).
We will look silly having the tiger gracing our coat-of-arms without any of them being alive. A nation that destroys its own chosen symbol surely cannot be called developed, can it ?. We owe it to our children and their children to protect our tigers in the wild. Much needs to be learnt and much more needs to be done to protect them. The current apathy cannot continue.
There are many organizations and dedicated individuals who are working very hard to raise awareness about the tiger, protect their habitats and to reduce poaching. But it is not enough. We need to reach out to more Malaysians.
The Tiger Blogfest 2010 [19 – 23 April 2010] is an avenue for the blogging community to contribute towards protecting our national heritage. All that is asked of you is to do what you are already doing so well… blog, blog and blog. Tell a story, write a poem, post a technical paper, draw cartoons, compose a song, relate your personal experience – anything as long as it convey the message of the need to protect our tigers. [preliminary details given below]I know you will all rise to the occasion. At the same, efforts are being made with the media and NGOs to give this event publicity and the conservation community to leverage on the heightened awareness.
Regards
Planet of the Monyets
Coordinating blog
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Tiger Blogfest 2010 – Preliminary Instructions
Period
19 – 23 April 2010 [Why ? Because 22 April is Earth Day]
What to do
Post at least one piece in your blog about the need to protect the tiger. You can plan and prepare ahead of time. Your first posting must be made on 19th April, preferably before 9.00 a.m.
You are encouraged to post additional articles during that week. But you can just stick to one post if you cannot spare the time. It would however be nice if everyone can post two pieces, one on the 19th April and the other towards end of that week.
What to write
Post anything that you are comfortable with as long as it carries a message about the need to protect our tigers. You can choose to write a story about the tiger, post a technical paper, compose a song or a poem, draw cartoons, etc. etc. Preferably in English or Bahasa Malaysia.
Comradeship
All participating blogs should carry (1) the Tiger Blogfest 2010 logo; and (2) a common message about protecting the tiger. Both these items will be provided to all participating bloggers.
List of participating blogs
The list of participating blogs will be displayed at several tiger and nature-related websites. We are targeting 100 blogs for this inaugural Tiger Blogfest. [we already have unofficial confirmations from 22 blogs]
Other activities
Still being considered :
- Link to a petition, urging the Government to expedite the implementation of the National Tiger Action Plan
- A talk on tiger conservation – all participating bloggers will be invited
Note : The final instructions will be emailed to all particpating blogs (i.e. those who register)
Interested ?
If you are interested in doing your bit to help protect our tiger and participate in this blogfest, please contact Planet of the Monyets at gbm.ere@gmail.com to register your blog. [and if you want help beyond just writing about the tiger, do let me know too... tiger conservation could do with plenty of help]
2 comments:
Alshukor,
Thank you very much for the support.
A tiger is a cat that does not live in a house, and whose home is being destroyed. All the best.
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