The Government of Maharashtra will celebrate International Tiger Day 2026 on July 29 at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Nagpur, reaffirming the State’s position as India’s leader in tiger conservation and wildlife management. The event will bring together policymakers, scientists, wildlife managers, researchers, conservation organisations, corporate leaders, tourism stakeholders, NGOs, community representatives and international delegates to deliberate on the future of tiger conservation and sustainable development. The programme is designed to strengthen collaboration among governments, academia, industry and civil society for securing India's tiger landscapes. International Tiger Day (also known as Global Tiger Day) is observed every year on July 29. It was established in 2010 at the St. Petersburg Tiger Summit in Russia, where the 13 tiger range countries jointly resolved to work together to conserve wild tigers and their habitats after tiger populations had declined to nearly 3,200 globally due to poaching, habitat loss and illegal wildlife trade.

 

The day serves as a global platform to raise awareness about tiger conservation, strengthen international cooperation, and promote science-based conservation, habitat protection and community participation. Today, wild tigers survive in 13 tiger range countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam. India is the undisputed global leader in tiger conservation, supporting over 70 per cent of the world’s wild tiger population, with an estimated 3,682 tigers (average estimate in 2022). Within India, Maharashtra the fourth largest tiger-bearing state in the country with 444 tigers in 2022. With six tiger reserves, extensive wildlife corridors and one of the fastest-growing tiger populations, Maharashtra has emerged as one of India’s most important landscapes for tiger conservation and serves as a national model for landscape-level conservation, community participation and human–wildlife coexistence.

 

A major highlight of the programme will be the Policy Round Table Discussions, where experts from diverse sectors will jointly develop practical recommendations on four priority themes: Community Livelihoods and Green Economy, CSR Investment in Tiger Conservation, Maharashtra – India’s Premier Tiger Tourism Destination, and Human–Tiger Coexistence & Landscape Conservation. These discussions will focus on identifying policy reforms, innovative partnerships, community-based conservation models and long-term strategies that can further strengthen tiger conservation while promoting sustainable livelihoods and responsible development. The event will also have a significant international dimension, with distinguished delegates from Russia, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Cambodia sharing their countries' experiences and best practices in wildlife conservation.

 

The event is expected to serve as an important platform for exchange of knowledge between Indian and international experts, enabling Maharashtra to adopt global best practices while also showcasing its own successful conservation initiatives before an international audience. Following the international presentations, senior members of the Government of Maharashtra will address the gathering and share the State's vision for strengthening tiger conservation, biodiversity management and sustainable development through inter-departmental coordination and community participation.