- By Sarju Saran Tiwari
- Sun, 27 Jul 2025 04:20 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
International Tiger Day 2025: Every year on July 29, the world comes together to observe International Tiger Day, a powerful reminder of our responsibility toward tiger conservation. Tigers, once spread abundantly across Asia, now survive in just a handful of reserves due to threats such as poaching, habitat destruction, and human conflict.
Tigers are not just charismatic animals; they are keystone species whose presence is crucial for maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Sadly, over the last century, their population has plummeted by over 95%. To reverse this alarming trend, 13 tiger-range countries work collectively each year to raise awareness and implement strategies for their protection.
History of International Tiger Day:
International Tiger Day was launched in 2010 during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia. The summit was hosted in response to the dangerously low wild tiger population—only about 3,000 were left in the wild.
The summit saw participation from 13 tiger-range countries including India, Russia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Malaysia, and others. The main objective was to double the tiger population by 2022 through global cooperation and conservation efforts under the “Tx2” goal. The day has since become a symbol of coordinated international action for tiger preservation.
Theme of International Tiger Day 2025
Each year, International Tiger Day is observed with a specific theme to drive awareness and policy measures. The 2025 theme will be declared by the Global Tiger Forum (GTF) shortly.
In 2024, the theme was “Call to Action”, urging the global community to implement urgent and concrete steps to conserve tigers and their habitats. The 2025 theme and poster will guide this year’s conservation drives and campaigns globally.
Global Tiger Stats 2025:
As per the Global Tiger Forum, the estimated global wild tiger population in 2025 stands at 5,574. While countries like India, Nepal, and Russia have made notable progress, some nations are still witnessing a drastic fall in tiger numbers.
Tiger Population by Country (2025):
| Country | Estimated Wild Tigers |
|---|---|
| India | 3,682 |
| Russia | 750 |
| Indonesia | 400 |
| Nepal | 355 |
| Thailand | 189 |
| Bhutan | 151 |
| Malaysia | 150 |
| Bangladesh | 146 |
| Myanmar | 22 |
| China | 20 |
| Vietnam | 5 |
| Laos | 2 |
| Cambodia | 0 (No sightings since 2007) |
India’s Efforts in Tiger Conservation:
India, home to over 65% of the world’s wild tigers, has implemented extensive conservation programs to protect this national animal.
1. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):
The NTCA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, established through an amendment to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in 2006. It oversees all national strategies and initiatives for tiger conservation, including financial support, planning, and monitoring.
2. Project Tiger:
Launched in 1973, Project Tiger is one of India’s most successful conservation initiatives. Initially covering 9 reserves across 18,278 km², it has expanded to 57 reserves over 82,836 km², covering 2.3% of India's total land area.
The objective of Project Tiger is:
"To ensure the maintenance of a viable population of tigers in India for scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural, and ecological values, and to preserve for all time areas of biological importance as national heritage."
3. Tiger Reserves in India:
India’s 57 tiger reserves are categorized into five major ecological landscapes. The country’s approach involves landscape-level conservation, ecological monitoring, and community involvement.
Additionally, 14 reserves have received the prestigious Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (CA|TS) accreditation:
Manas, Kaziranga, Orang (Assam)
Satpura, Kanha, Panna (Madhya Pradesh)
Pench (Maharashtra)
Valmiki (Bihar)
Dudhwa (Uttar Pradesh)
Sunderbans (West Bengal)
Parambikulam (Kerala)
Bandipur, Mudumalai, Anamalai (Tamil Nadu and Karnataka)
4. Counting Tigers in India
To evaluate the status of tigers and their habitat, India conducts a quadrennial national tiger census. It is jointly carried out by the NTCA, State Forest Departments, Wildlife Institute of India, and partner NGOs.
First survey: 2006
Follow-ups: 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022
India uses camera traps, pugmark analysis, prey density surveys, and advanced statistical models.
As we approach International Tiger Day 2025, let’s recognise that tiger conservation isn’t just about saving one species—it’s about protecting entire ecosystems. With continued support, awareness, and governmental efforts, we can ensure a safer future for the majestic tiger.