India’s 2018 Tiger Census has etched its name in the Guinness World Records for being the largest camera trap wildlife survey ever conducted. The fourth cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation 2018 estimated 2,967 tigers, accounting for 75% of the global tiger population, reaffirming India’s leadership in wildlife conservation.
The results of the census were announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Global Tiger Day last year, highlighting India’s success in doubling its tiger population four years ahead of the global target.
Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar hailed the achievement as a “great moment” and a “shining example of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” crediting the Prime Minister’s leadership and the resolve of the conservation community.
According to Guinness World Records, the 2018–19 survey was the most comprehensive ever undertaken. It involved 26,838 camera trap locations across 141 sites, covering an effective area of 121,337 sq. km. The effort captured 34.8 million wildlife photographs, including 76,651 of tigers and 51,777 of leopards, with stripe-pattern recognition software identifying 2,461 individual tigers (excluding cubs).
This milestone reinforces India’s global role in tiger conservation, blending advanced technology with a strong commitment to protecting its natural heritage.
