Schoolmaster's masterpiece of cub hugging Maya to become postal stamp on July 29

Maharashtra's most popular Tiger reserve – the Tadoba Andhari National Park – will get its first postal stamp, showcasing the famous tigress Maya and her cub hugging her, this World Tigers' Day on July 29.

State forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, who has been pursuing the matter, informed that the stamp would be published keeping in mind the World Tigers' Day event. It would also highlight conservation measures being taken for tigers in Maharashtra, besides making Tadoba one of the most popular wildlife destinations in the country to see tigers in their natural habitat.

"We had requested the Centre for a postage stamp on Tadoba, which is the oldest in the country, and we are happy that it will finally be released," he said.

The postal stamp will have an image of a cub of Maya hugging her, which has become one of the most popular tiger images in recent times. Its popularity has been such that it has been gifted to various dignitaries and celebrities, including Amitabh Bacchan, who is the Tiger ambassador of Maharashtra.

The picture was clicked by Amol Bais, a resident of Chandrapur, who works as a headmaster of a school for tribal students at Durgapur on the periphery of Tadoba Andhari National Park. Bais is also a passionate wildlife photographer and he took this picture during a safari inside the forest.