Daily Current for UPSC 6 August 2025/International Tiger Day 2025: Theme and Tiger Conservation Efforts

Every year on July 29, the world celebrates International Tiger Day—also called Global Tiger Day—to spread awareness about tiger conservation. It was started in 2010 during the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit, where leaders from 13 tiger-range countries agreed on the TX2 goal: to double the number of wild tigers by 2022.

What is the Theme for International Tiger Day 2025?

While the official theme for 2025 is yet to be formally announced, past themes have included slogans like:

• “Roar for Tigers”
• “Save Tigers, Save Forests, Save Life”

These themes focus not only on protecting the tiger itself but also on the forests and ecosystems where they live. Every year, the chosen theme reminds us that biodiversity and ecological balance are shared responsibilities.

Why Tigers Matter?

Tigers are apex predators—meaning they sit at the top of the food chain. Their presence is essential for:

• Controlling prey populations
• Maintaining healthy vegetation
• Preserving biodiversity
• Supporting clean water sources

A healthy tiger population signals a healthy forest, which benefits both nature and human communities.

Tiger Conservation Efforts around the World:

Once numbering over 100,000 a century ago, wild tiger populations have dropped drastically—today only about 4,000 tigers remain globally. Poaching, habitat destruction, and human conflict are major reasons for this sharp decline.

India’s Leadership in Tiger Conservation:

India is home to over 3,682 tigers (as per the latest census), making it the largest wild tiger population in the world. This success is due to major efforts like:

Project Tiger

• National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) oversight
• 58 dedicated Tiger Reserves across landscapes such as:
  • The Western Ghats
  • Sundarbans
  • Central India
  • The North-East

State-Level Initiatives

• Uttar Pradesh: Tiger count increased from 173 (2018) to 222 (2022) due to:
  • Bagh Mitra app (community reporting)
  • M-Stripes (forest patrolling)
  • Public awareness and involvement
• Karnataka: Numbers rose from 400 (2018) to 536 (2022). But by 2024, only 393 tigers were found in core protected areas—showing a shift into buffer zones, increasing human-wildlife conflict.

 Successful Projects and NGO Work:

Manas National Park (Assam):

• From only 8 tigers in 2010 to over 60 tigers
• Supported by NGOs like Aaranyak
• Cross-border cooperation with Bhutan

Sundarbans Tiger Project (Bangladesh):

• Focused on conserving Royal Bengal Tigers
• Uses telemetry, habitat surveys, and community awareness

Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI):

• Works to combat poaching and illegal trade
• Trains legal teams and conducts undercover enforcement

Regional and Global Collaboration:

• International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA):
  • Launched in April 2023, based in New Delhi
  • Involves 11 member countries
  • Funded with $100 million by India
  • Supports enforcement, intelligence-sharing, and conservation training

Key Conservation Measures in 2025:

Habitat Protection and Corridor Development:

• Expanding protected areas and creating safe corridors are critical.
• Karnataka and others are considering new reserves like MM Hills to stop tigers from entering human settlements.

Stronger Anti-Poaching and Legal Action:

• Poaching remains a major threat, especially for Sumatran tigers.
• There’s increasing demand for tougher penalties and patrolling across Asia.

 Community Involvement and Education:

• Wild Scouts program in north India teaches schoolchildren how to safely live near tiger zones.
• Helps reduce conflicts and retaliatory killings.

Use of Technology:

• Use of camera traps, AI-powered models (like YOLOv8), and data analytics help track tigers and guide forest patrols more effectively.

Awareness and Eco-Tourism:

• Events like smart classes and eco-tours (e.g. Phutwagarh safari) engage the public.
• Helps promote eco-tourism, local jobs, and responsible tourism practices.

·         Recognizing Grassroots Conservation Heroes

• Forest guards and rescue teams in states like West Bengal are being honoured for their work in tiger conservation, conflict mitigation, and protection of core habitats.