New Delhi: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav said the number of tiger reserves in India has increased from 46 in 2014 to 58, which reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting our national animal.
Presiding over the Global Tiger Day 2025 celebrations, held today at the National Zoological Park, New Delhi, the Minister emphasized the importance of ecological balance, conservation awareness among children, and gratitude towards nature.
Mr Yadav congratulated schools and teachers for sensitizing young minds about wildlife conservation and preserving biodiversity.
Calling for greater environmental consciousness, Mr 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.”
Drawing the attention to the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) launched by India, he informed that 24 countries have already agreed to join this global effort, with the IBCA headquarters to be based in India.
During the event, Mr 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 Bharat Lal and Dr. S.P. Yadav.
Global Tiger Day 2025
Global Tiger Day, also known as International Tiger Day, began in 2010. It was created during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia. Thirteen tiger-range countries united to address shrinking tiger numbers. They pledged to double wild tiger populations by 2022, a goal called “Tx2″.
Every year’s Global Tiger Day has a special theme and message. The theme for 2025 will be declared by the Global Tiger Forum. Past slogans have included “Roar for Tigers” and “Save Tigers, Save Forests, Save Life.” These messages shape school events and outreach efforts.
Global Tiger Day 2025 is not a date only. It is a call to remember the glory of nature and the need to save it. The young minds, by action and awareness, can bring about the salvation. Let’s make sure the future generations listen to the roar not silence.
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