Tiger is a wonderful symbol of ecosystem

-- Sourav Ganguly is known as the Bengal Tiger. But it was Rahul Dravid who listened attentively as environmentalists and wildlife

conservationists discussed ways of preserving the environment and saving the tiger.

"The tiger is a wonderful symbol of our ecosystem. We need to protect it," the Indian cricketer told The Times of India. He had flown in to the capital on Tuesday to attend a conference on Ecoystems, Climate Change and National Development at the seminar room of Teen Murti Bhavan.

The former India captain listened attentively sitting in the backrow and later signed autographs for a bunch of young students. "As a child I have always been in love with forests and wildlife. I came to listen and learn from different experts on climate change and environment protection," he said.

Environmentalist Bittu Sahgal, who had invited Rahul to the conference, said, "If we want to look into climate change as a serious issue, we would need credible youth icons like Rahul to highlight it."

"We want to take tiger conservation to the people. We want to make them understand that it is related to food security, water security and economic security," he said.