The Royal Bengal Tiger was officially declared as the national animal of India.

_{On 9th july 1969, the Wildlife Board declared ‘lion’ as the national animal of the India. Till 1972, the Lion was the national animal of India. Later Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris), ‘majestic creature’ was designated as the national animal on November 18th 1972. Project Tiger is a tiger conservation programme launched on April 1, 1973 by the Government of India during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s tenure.}