JULY 29: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, led the Global Tiger Day 2025 celebrations at the National Zoological Park, New Delhi, marking India’s continued leadership in tiger and big cat conservation.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister announced the launch of one of the world’s largest tree plantation drives, where over 1 lakh saplings will be planted across 58 tiger reserves. This effort, he stated, symbolizes India’s commitment to restoring degraded habitats and preserving biodiversity under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Shri Yadav proudly highlighted the rise in the number of tiger reserves—from 46 in 2014 to 58 in 2025—demonstrating the nation’s steadfast dedication to wildlife protection. He also emphasized the importance of involving youth and communities in conservation, urging citizens to participate in the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign by planting a tree in honor of their mother and Mother Earth.
The Minister drew attention to the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), India’s flagship initiative to conserve the seven big cat species worldwide. With 24 countries already on board, IBCA is fast becoming a global platform for collective action, with its headquarters to be based in India.
Among the key events was the virtual inauguration of plantation drives across all 58 tiger reserves, with each planting 2,000 indigenous saplings to support ecological restoration. The day also saw the launch of forest nurseries in the Aravalli landscape and the ‘Plastic-Free Tiger Reserves’ campaign.
A special Eco-Shop Exhibition showcased community-based, eco-friendly products from tiger landscapes, emphasizing the role of sustainable livelihoods in conservation.
Shri Yadav also unveiled four publications highlighting India’s conservation efforts and distributed NTCA Awards across seven categories, honoring forest staff, conservationists, and community contributors.
Also present were Union MoS Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, officials, scientists, students, and NGOs—symbolizing the multi-stakeholder approach required for tiger conservation.
India’s 2025 Global Tiger Day celebrations reaffirmed the country’s holistic, inclusive model that bridges grassroots participation with international cooperation to ensure the long-term survival of big cats.
