The Living Planet Report 2026, published on 8 October by WWF and the Zoological Society of London, points to India as one example that nature conservation works, at a time when monitored wildlife populations worldwide have fallen by an average of 73% since 1970.
The report highlights tigers, estimated at 3,682, greater one-horned rhinos, now more than 3,300, and Asiatic lions, which rose from 674 in 2020 to 891 in 2025. The country is also home to around 13,874 leopards and 718 snow leopards.
India also carried out its first complete river dolphin survey, covering 8,507 kilometres across 28 rivers, and estimated 6,324 Ganges river dolphins. Experts note that the country is home to about 70% of the world’s wild tigers.
Scientists warn, however, that species living outside protected areas, such as the great Indian bustard and the Indian wolf, need better protection, and that conflicts between people and wildlife must be reduced.
