As the world celebrates the Global Tiger Day on July 29. 2025, India is celebrating the day differently basking under pride. The reason is that it has emerged as the global leader in tiger conservation, proudly holding the highest number of wild tigers in the world. According to the latest figures released by the Global Tiger Forum (GTF), India is home to 3,682 wild tigers — a staggering 64% of the total global tiger population of 5,711.
This remarkable figure puts India far ahead of all other tiger-range countries. The next closest is Russia with 586 tigers, followed by Indonesia (393), Nepal (355), and Thailand (201). Some countries, like Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, have reported zero wild tigers left in their forests.
The data reflects the effectiveness of India’s long-term conservation efforts, including the flagship Project Tiger, launched in 1973. Over the years, India has expanded its network of tiger reserves to over 50, covering critical habitats across states like Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, and Maharashtra.
Union Environment Minister hailed the achievement, saying, “This is not just a number, it’s a symbol of India’s unwavering commitment to wildlife protection. Our forest staff, scientists, and communities deserve full credit for this global leadership.”