Overview
World Tiger Day, celebrated every year on 29 July, raises awareness about this endangered apex predator that underpins forest ecosystems worldwide. The 2025 event marks major conservation achievements—India is now home to 3,682 wild tigers (75% of the world’s total)—along with the launch of new international initiatives such as the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).
What is World Tiger Day?
Origin and Purpose
Declared at the 2010 St Petersburg Tiger Summit, where 13 tiger-range countries pledged to double the number of wild tigers by 2022 (the Tx2 initiative).
Also called “Global Tiger Day” — observed to raise awareness, gather funds and policy support for tiger protection, habitat conservation, anti-poaching, and human–tiger coexistence.
Date and 2025 Theme
Fixed date: 29 July every year.
2025 Theme: To be announced soon by the Global Tiger Forum; previous slogans included: “Save Tigers, Save Forests, Save Life” and “Roar for Tigers.” Aspirants should watch for the official release for use in Prelims questions.
Tiger Conservation: 2010–2025
| Year | Global/Indian Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | St Petersburg Summit | Tx2 goal: double tiger numbers |
| 2013 | Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve notified | Received Tx2 Award for doubling tiger count |
| 2022 | Tx2 deadline achieved | ~5,575 wild tigers globally |
| 2023 | 50 years of Project Tiger; IBCA launch | India pledges $100 million |
| 2024 | IBCA Cabinet approval | HQ at New Delhi |
| 2025 | IBCA becomes treaty-based | 5 countries ratified, comes into force |
India’s Tiger Census: At a Glance
| Census Year | Tiger Count | % Increase | Main Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,411 | – | Launch of Project Tiger |
| 2010 | 1,706 | 20.9% | Wide monitoring |
| 2014 | 2,226 | 30.5% | Anti-poaching & corridor protection |
| 2018 | 2,967 | 33.3% | Rehabilitation from core zones |
| 2022 | 3,682 | 24.1% | M-STrIPES, IBCA initiatives |
Analysis: India’s tiger numbers have grown by about 6% annually—mainly due to habitat connectivity and strong law enforcement.
Global Tiger Status
| Indicator | 2010 | 2016 | 2023 | 2025* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated wild tigers | 3,200 | 3,890 | 5,575 | ~5,700 (forecast) |
| Historic habitat (left) | 7% | 6% | 6% | <6% |
The latest 2025 figures will be released by GTF in Q4.
** Forecast assumes 2% average annual growth outside India, 2023–25.
Project Tiger at 52: Key Facts
Launched: 1 April 1973, with 9 reserves; currently 57 reserves covering 83,000 sq.km.
Administration: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under MoEFCC.
Technology: M-STrIPES patrolling app, camera traps, drones, genetic ID.
Community support: ₹15 lakh per family as relocation help, reduces conflict.
International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
Announced: April 2023, on Project Tiger’s 50th anniversary.
HQ: New Delhi; India to provide $100 million start-up fund.
Members: 27 countries as of Feb 2025; 5 ratified (India, Nicaragua, Eswatini, Somalia, Liberia).
Aim: Global conservation of 7 big cats (tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, jaguar, puma, cheetah).
Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme (ITHCP)
Funding: German KfW; €47.5 million until 2027.
Phase I (2014-22): 40% tiger increase at sites.
Phases II-IV: focuses on Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar; emphasis on cross-border corridors.
Technology and Innovation
AI-enabled Monitoring
2022 census analyzed 1 lakh+ camera trap photos via AI, saving 60% processing time.
Conservation Genetics
Genetic matching mandated by NTCA SOP for translocation.
Community Drones
In Sundarbans, local youth operate drones, reducing illegal fishing by 18%.
Key Challenges
Poaching networks: Demand persists in Southeast Asia; 300+ tiger body parts seized in 2024.
Habitat fragmentation: 93% habitat lost since 1900.
Human–tiger conflict: 104 human deaths in India (2022–24); Project Tiger support provided.
Climate risk: Sea-level rise affects Sundarbans; temperature shifts in high-altitude habitats—NTCA preparing High-Altitude Tiger Master Plan.
Quick Exam Facts
2025: 15 years since the Tx2 pledge—global tiger population up by 74%.
India has 75% of world tigers (3,682).
57 tiger reserves; latest: MM Hills (Karnataka), Kaimur (Bihar).
IBCA is a treaty body from 23 Jan 2025.
TX2 Award 2022: Sathyamangalam (India) & Bardiya (Nepal).
M-STrIPES: Mobile app with GIS, patrol logs, AI analytics.
Why This Matters for Your Exam Preparation
Tigers are frequently asked about in UPSC Prelims on environment, biodiversity, and as case studies in GS-III. Knowing census data, policies like Project Tiger, IBCA, and international commitments (Tx2) aids answer writing. Governance, community participation, technological innovation, and global cooperation models are highly important for essays and ethics papers too.
Include these points in your short notes, and link them to bigger UPSC topics like biodiversity and climate change.
