changeadminIndia’s Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Mr Bhupender Yadav, presided over the awards ceremony of the Global Big Cats Photography Competition 2025 in New Delhi today.
The awards ceremony was organised by the 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, Mr 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 have increased by 1,445 square kilometres, with 25.17% of the country now covered in greenery. The Protected Area Network has expanded to 1,022 sites, covering 5.43% of the country’s geographical area, he added.
The Minister further informed that the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh has been added to the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, marking it as India’s first high-altitude Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve and the country’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, Mr 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 kilometres.
He informed the gathering that under the Tiger@2047 plan, we’re working to secure every potential tiger landscape by India’s 100th year of independence.
Regarding the Asiatic Lions, the Minister stated that they are now thriving across 35,000 square kilometres, with their numbers increasing by 32% since 2020, reaching 891.
Discussing the conservation efforts of other Big Cat species in India, the Minister highlighted 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 that the first Cheetah cub born on Indian soil had reached adulthood, serving as 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.
At the same time, 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.
Mr Yadav also highlighted the pivotal role of communities 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.
Discussing the importance of the Global Big Cats Photography Competition, Mr Yadav noted that it holds special significance as it forms part of the pre-summit events leading up 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 only as a contest of artistic excellence but also as a celebration of nature, wildlife, and the profound human connection with the natural world.
This year’s competition drew entries from over 1,000 participants, showcasing thousands of breathtaking photographs from some of the world’s most diverse wilderness regions.
After a rigorous evaluation, 456 entries were shortlisted for the final jury selection, resulting in the recognition of the winning photographs.
The Minister felicitated the winners of the competition in the presence of ambassadors from Big Cat Range Countries, officials from the MoEFCC, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Uttar Pradesh Eco-Tourism Development Board, and various conservation organisations.
The Winners of the Global Big Cats Photography Competition are:
- 1st Prize – Mr Rajarshi Banerji
- 2nd Prize – Mr Abhijit Chattopadhyay
- 3rd Prize – Mr Narayan Malu
- 4th Prize – Mr Anosh Koppikar
- 5th Prize – Mr Prasad Hamine
- 6th Prize – Mr Jeetendra Chaware
- 7th Prize – Mr Vishwas Patwardhan
- 8th Prize – Mr Vinod Sharma
The winning photographs can be accessed on the Aarts Maestro platform.
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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