CHENNAI : Discovery Tamil brings for its viewers a month long programming line-up- WHERE TIGERS RULE,to celebrate India?s regal national animal, tigers.

Premiering every night at 8 PM in June on Discovery Tamil, WHERE TIGERS RULE will present viewers with engaging programmes on the tigers? behaviour, predatory skills, legends and issues related to its survival. Filmed in breathtaking landscapes in magnificent forests, grasslands and protected reserves, WHERE TIGERS RULE will provide an intimate look into the mysterious world of the tiger.

Joining hands with Discovery Tamil is the famous Indian cricketer - R. Ashwin who is also a wildlife enthusiast and has a passion towards animal conservation in the country. He will share his personal messages with the viewers, raising consciousness on the diminishing number of tigers and the need for conservation.

Announcing the series, Rahul Johri, senior vice president and general manager - South Asia, Discovery NetworksAsia-Pacific said, "Discovery Tamil?s popularity in the region will help create awareness about tiger conservation. The month long programming initiative, Where Tigers Rulehas been customised to intensify the consciousness on the cause."

Speaking on the occasion, cricketer R. Ashwin said, "Tiger is the embodiment of strength, grace and determination. The waning population of tigers is a growing concern and requires collective action.I am delighted to be a part of Discovery Tamil?s initiative to reach out to people and generate awareness."

The month long programme Where Tigers Rulewill enlighten viewers about tigers? behaviour, predatory skills, family life and issues related to illegal poaching. Filmed in breathtaking landscapes located in India?s magnificent forests, grasslands and protect reserves, including Madhya Pradesh?s Bandhavgarh National Park, Rajasthan?s Ranthambore National Park, and West Bengal?s Sunderbans, Where Tigers Ruleprovides an intimate look into the mysterious world of the tiger.

Some of the Episodes Included:

India - Kingdom of the tiger
The film is a historical epic depicting India from 1910 to the modern era. The episode follows in the footsteps of Jim Corbett, the famed English hunter-naturalist, as he races to save an Indian village from the terror of a man-eating tiger. Along his journey he expresses his passion for tigers and explores the issues of tiger conservation. The dramatization stars critically acclaimed Indian actress Smriti Mishra and Christopher Heyerdahi.

Broken Tail
Broken Tail is the name of the most flamboyant tiger cub Colin Stafford-Johnson had seen during many years spent filming India?s wild tigers. After leaving his sanctuary and going on the run, Broken Tail survived for almost a year where many said it was impossible, in the unprotected badlands of rural Rajasthan. Tracking Broken Tail?s extraordinary journey, Colin and his soundman, Salim, piece together the cub?s final days and, through Broken Tail?s story, uncover stark truths about India?s last wild tigers.

Living with Tigers
Tigers are rapidly vanishing from the wild. In fact, there are already more tigers in captivity than there are in their natural environment. At the current rate, experts fear they could all be wiped out within a decade. Thankfully, a dynamic and ambitious program has been developed to reintroduce captive tigers into the wild. Naturalist and filmmaker John Varty and zoologist David Salmoni are the ultimate friends of these beautiful animals. LIVING WITH TIGERS will let audiences in on their grand and noble scheme - to take two sibling Bengal tigers from Cincinnati Zoo - Ron and Julie - and teach them how to fend for themselves.

Mumbai: Indian tennis legend, 12-time Doubles Grand Slam champion Leander Paes, hosts our Indian special from Chennai. Chennai is heralded as the birthplace of Indian tennis, with the top Indian tennis families the Krishnans and the Armitrajs having been born here and the city hosts the only professional event in South Asia.

In this month?s show, we interview all the big names within Indian tennis. We profile the most successful Indian woman tennis player in history, Sania Mirza. CNN correspondent Mallika Kapur interviews Sania in Mumbai.

Leander takes us to Marina Beach where he used to train, growing up within the Britannia Amritraj Foundation. Here he interviews Vijay Amritraj about his family?s contribution to Indian tennis and his earliest memories of Leander as a young player coming through his academy. Leander then interviews the so-called ?Kings of Indian Tennis?, Ramanathan and his son Ramesh Krishnan, Leander asks them about their family legacy in the game. Ramanathan came closest to winning India?s first singles Grand Slam singles title back in 1960 and 1961, making the semi-final of Wimbledon twice and reaching World Number 3. Leander asks them both why India has never produced a singles grand slam champion. Ramanathan cuts straight to it, saying that kids aren?t trained hard enough from an early age, lack the physicality and mental strength. We visit one of the biggest academies in South India; the Triangle Tennis Trust to see what physical training takes place at grassroots level & Leander interviews one of the most promising players in the Indian game, Vishnu Vardhan, about the obstacles he?s faced coming through the system.

And finally, Leander takes India?s top player Somdev Devvarmann silk shopping and chats to him about his time training in the States and his hopes for his career.

Airtimes:

Thursday, February 23 at 1600
Friday, February 24 at 2300
Saturday, February 25 at 1400
Sunday, February 26 at 2300
Sunday, March 25 at 1400

*Airtimes are subject to change.