Delhi, 29 July (HS): Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav, presided over the Global Tiger Day 2025 celebrations, held today at the National Zoological Park, New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister emphasized the importance of ecological balance, conservation awareness among children, and gratitude towards nature. Yadav congratulated schools and teachers for sensitizing young minds about wildlife conservation and preserving biodiversity.
Highlighting the Government’s commitment to wildlife conservation, the Minister stated, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the number of tiger reserves in India has increased from 46 in 2014 to 58 till date. This growth reflects the Prime Minister’s unwavering commitment to protecting our national animal.”
The Minister announced the launch of a nationwide tree plantation drive, where over 1 lakh saplings will be planted across all 58 tiger reserves, making it one of the largest such campaigns in the world.
Calling for greater environmental consciousness, Yadav urged children and citizens to plant at least one tree in their mother’s name under Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, as a gesture of gratitude to both matru shakti and Dharti Maa (Mother Earth). He said, “Just as our mother nurtures us, so does Mother Earth. A tree offers shelter to birds, bears fruit without asking, and provides oxygen selflessly. Let us all plant a tree for our mothers and for the planet.”
Bhupender Yadav also drew attention to the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) launched by India, which aims to protect the seven big cats found globally. He informed that 24 countries have already agreed to join this global effort, with the IBCA headquarters to be based in India.
The Minister called upon the youth to live a life of determination, patience, and humility, and to contribute back to society through conservation efforts under Mission Life: “Let us not forget, true progress lies in maintaining harmony with nature. The most powerful creature, like the tiger, also teaches us humility. That is the essence of ecological balance.”
Also gracing the occasion were dignitaries including Union Minister of State (MoEFCC), Kirti Vardhan Singh, along with a diverse group of stakeholders including government officials, frontline forest staff, scientists, conservationists, NGOs, students, and community representatives. The presence of different stakeholders highlighted the collective, multi-stakeholder effort required to sustain and build upon the gains made in tiger conservation.
A special highlight of the 2025 celebrations was the Eco-Shop Exhibition, featuring eco-shops from different Tiger Reserves across the country. The stalls offered a wide variety of community-based sustainable products and eco-development products from the Western Ghats and Southern landscapes. These products represent a fusion of cultural heritage and ecological responsibility.
The Eco-Shop Exhibition highlights the critical link between conservation and community livelihoods, showcasing how sustainable enterprise models can empower local communities, support forest-dependent families, and contribute directly to conservation goals by reducing pressures on tiger habitats and mitigating conflict.
During the event, Bhupender Yadav inaugurated plantation drives across all 58 tiger reserves in India, through a virtual mode. As part of this initiative, each tiger reserve will plant 2,000 saplings of indigenous plant species in degraded areas to promote habitat restoration and strengthen the ecological foundations essential for tiger conservation. The event also included the inauguration of forest nurseries, at three locations in the Aravalli landscape, which will serve as a key resource for afforestation using native species and for fostering long-term ecological resilience. The day also marked the launch of the ‘Plastic-Free Tiger Reserves’ campaign, aimed at eliminating the use of all single-use plastics within tiger reserves.
The Minister also unveiled four important publications, each highlighting a unique aspect of India’s wildlife conservation narrative under the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):
Report on “Status of Small Cats in the Tiger Landscape of India”
STRIPES Magazine – Global Tiger Day Special Edition
Books – “Waterfalls of Tiger Reserves in India” and “Water Bodies inside Tiger Reserves of India” by Sh. Bharat Lal and Dr. S.P. Yadav.
Bhupender Yadav also distributed NTCA awards under 7 categories that included, Posthumous/Life sacrificed in line of duty; Wildlife Crime Detection, Investigation and Prosecution; Wildlife Monitoring; Wildlife Habitat Management; Wildlife Protection and Anti-Poaching activities; People’s Participation & Eco-development and Voluntary Village Relocation works.
Altogether, the celebrations on Global Tiger Day 2025 reflect India’s long-standing commitment to tiger conservation, aligning grassroots participation with policy-level strategies. They illustrate a holistic approach that values ecological integrity, community well-being and international cooperation as essential elements for ensuring the long-term survival of tigers in the wild.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
