International Tiger Day, also known as Global Tiger Day, is observed annually on July 29 to raise awareness about the critical need for tiger conservation worldwide.
- The day highlights the urgent need to protect tigers and their habitats, while also raising awareness about ongoing conservation efforts.
- July 29, 2025, marks the 15th observance of International Tiger Day.
Background:
Origin : International Tiger Day was established in 2010 during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit held in Russia.
St. Petersburg Declaration At the 2010 Tiger Summit, 13 Tiger Range Countries (TRCs) adopted the St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation.
- This declaration officially recognized July 29 as Global Tiger Day.
- Tx2 Initiative: The 13 TRCs also pledged to achieve the Tx2 goal, aiming to double the wild tiger population by 2022.
- The 13 TRCs are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
First Observance: The first Global Tiger Day was observed on July 29, 2011.
Global Support: Global Tiger Day is backed and observed by various international organizations, including the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Smithsonian Institution, and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
About Tiger:
Largest Land Cat: The tiger (Panthera tigris) is the largest cat in the world and the third-largest carnivore on land. It is known for its strength and power, second only to the lion. It belongs to the genus Panthera, and is a top predator.
Habitat: Tigers live in many places, including the Russian Far East, parts of North Korea, China, India, Southeast Asia, and the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
Size, Lifespan, and Speed: The biggest tiger is the Siberian or Amur tiger, which can grow up to 4 meters (13 feet) long and weigh as much as 300 kg (660 pounds).
- Male tigers are bigger than females.
- In the wild, their average lifespan ranges from 10 to 15 years.
- Tigers can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour(mph).
Conservation Status: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species classifies tigers as Endangered.
- Since 2017, the IUCN has identified two tiger subspecies: the continental tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) and the Sunda island tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica).
Threats and Conservation: Tigers are threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and conflicts with humans. Protecting them through conservation efforts is essential for their survival.
Current Population Estimates:
Global : The present estimate of global wild tiger populations stands at over 5,500 individuals, with the increase largely contributed to by conservation measures in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Russia.
India’s Tiger Population: India is home to over 70% of the world’s wild tigers. India has the largest population of wild tigers, followed by Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Russia, with minor populations residing in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and China.
- India has successfully doubled its tiger population to over 3,600.These tigers now occupy a habitat spanning 138,200 square kilometers(sq km) (53,360 square miles).
- The 2022 All India Tiger Estimation recorded an estimated population of 3,682 tigers (range 3,167–3,925), up from 2,967 (range 2,603–3,346) in 2018 and 2,226 (range 1,945–2,491) in 2014.
- The tiger population is growing at an annual rate of approximately 6%.
Initiatives to protect Tigers:
Project Tiger : It was launched by the Government of India(GoI) in 1973Â to protect the Bengal tiger and its habitat. It is managed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
- The project has led to the establishment of 58 tiger reserves across 18 states. The latest addition to the list is Madhav Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh(MP).
- MP leads the list with nine reserves, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.
- The first tiger reserve was set up in 1973 as Palamau Tiger Reserve in Jharkhand.
IBCA: The GoI launched the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) in April 2023 during the 50-year celebration of Project Tiger.
- Headquartered in New Delhi(Delhi), IBCA aims to promote the conservation of seven major big cats—Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma.
- It brings 11 member countries together to support big-cat conservation, enhance enforcement, reduce illegal trade, and build capacity globally—backed by India’s USD 100 million seed funding.
About National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):
It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It has been constituted under section 38 L (1) of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 2005
