“Under the dynamic guidance of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, our Nation has not only strengthened its conservation frameworks, but also redefined how development and nature can coexist”, stated Shri Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, while presiding over the awards ceremony of the Global Big Cats Photography Competition 2025, in New Delhi today. In a post on social media platform ‘X’ earlier today, the Minister posted the Prime Minister’s message to wildlife enthusiasts on Wildlife Week 2025.

‘वन्य जीवों के लिए संरक्षित क्षेत्रों की संख्या में वृद्धि, वनों के संरक्षण हेतु प्रभावी नीतियाँ, तकनीकी साधनों के उपयोग और आधुनिक विज्ञान संयोजन से आज भारत दुनिया को जैव विविधता व संरक्षण का मार्ग दिखा रहा है…’

वन्यजीव सप्ताह 2025 पर प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी का… pic.twitter.com/1b7YpOG4Nm

— Bhupender Yadav (@byadavbjp) October 8, 2025

The awards ceremony was organised by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), in collaboration with the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), Aarts Maestro and the Uttar Pradesh EcoTourism Development Board, as a pre-summit event to the forthcoming Global Summit on Big Cat Conservation in 2026.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Yadav described how India’s thriving ecosystems are the foundation of its thriving wildlife. In the past decade, he shared, India’s forest and tree cover has increased by 1,445 square kilometers, with 25.17% green cover now. The Protected Area Network has grown to 1,022, covering 5.43% of the geographical area of the  country, he added. The Minister further informed about the addition of the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh into the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, with it getting recognized as India's first high-altitude Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve, marking India's 13th site in the network. Further, 487 eco-sensitive zones now act as vital corridors for wildlife movement, he informed.

Sharing India’s success in the conservation of Big Cats, Shri Yadav noted a 30% increase in the Tiger population in the last decade, with the country boasting 58 Tiger Reserves, spanning over 84,000 square kilometers. He informed the gathering that under the visionary Tiger@2047 plan, we’re working to secure every potential tiger landscape by India’s 100th year of independence. Talking about Asiatic Lions, the Minister stated that they are now thriving across 35,000 square kilometers, with their numbers rising by 32% since 2020, to reach 891. Talking about conservation efforts of other Big Cat species in India, Shri Yadav talked about how Project Snow Leopard brings local communities together to protect these magnificent sentinels of the Himalayas. He further noted the success of the Project Cheetah and mentioned about the first Cheetah cub born on Indian soil attaining adulthood, signifying a symbol of hope for the species.

The Minister also noted the stellar work being done by our institutions that have been the backbone of this transformation. NTCA introduced smart patrols and the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest camera-trap survey, while the Wildlife Institute of India has emerged as a global hub for AI-based monitoring, modern research, and robust science. “This is the New India of Conservation — driven by science, guided by values”, he noted. Shri Yadav also highlighted the pivotal role of Jan Bhagidari in ensuring success in wildlife conservation. He quoted examples of programmes like Himal Rakshaks in Ladakh, Cheetah Mitras in Madhya Pradesh, and Vanya Prani Mitras in Gujarat, that embody the power of community stewardship.

Talking about the importance of Global Photography Competition, Shri Yadav said that it holds special significance as it forms part of the pre-summit events leading to the upcoming Global Summit on Big Cat Conservation, which will be hosted by India in 2026. “The Summit will mark a milestone moment in the collective global efforts to secure the future of the seven majestic big cat species, the Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Jaguar, Cheetah, and Puma, that together represent the grandeur and ecological richness of our planet. This event is also significant as it is being celebrated on the 8th of October, commemorating Wildlife Week in India, a time when we reaffirm our collective commitment to the protection of our precious flora and fauna”, he added. The Minister extended congratulations to all the winners and participants and stated, “Your passion for wildlife and your commitment to portraying the splendour of big cats contribute significantly to the larger mission of global conservation”.

The Global Big Cats Photography Competition complements this mission by serving not merely as a contest of artistic excellence, but as a celebration of nature, wildlife, and the deep human connection with the natural world. This year’s competition drew entries from more than 1,000 participants, showcasing thousands of breathtaking photographs from some of the most diverse wilderness regions of the world. After rigorous evaluation, 456 entries were shortlisted for the final jury selection, leading to the recognition of the winning photographs. The winners of the competition were felicitated by the Minister, in the august presence of Ambassadors of Big Cat Range Countries, officials of MoEFCC, Ministry of External Affairs, Uttar Pradesh Eco-Tourism Development Board, and various conservation organisations.

The Winners of the competition are:

 

• Mr. Rajarshi Banerji – 1st Prize
• Mr. Abhijit Chattopadhyay – 2nd Prize
• Mr. Narayan Malu – 3rd Prize
• Mr. Anosh Koppikar – 4th Prize
• Mr. Prasad Hamine – 5th Prize
• Mr. Jeetendra Chaware – 6th Prize
• Mr. Vishwas Patwardhan – 7th Prize
• Mr. Vinod Sharma – 8th Prize

 

 

 

 

The event also formed an integral part of the celebrations of Wildlife Week 2025, reaffirming the collective commitment towards the protection of India’s rich flora and fauna. The spirit of Wildlife Week underscores that conserving biodiversity is not only an environmental necessity but also a moral obligation to ensure ecological balance and sustainability for future generations.

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