Royal Ranthambore Whisky partners Corbett Foundation for tiger conservation
Synopsis
On World Tiger Day, Royal Ranthambore Whisky and The Corbett Foundation formalised a conservation partnership that puts a premium liquor brand at the centre of India's tiger protection effort. With India's tiger count at 3,682 — and nearly a third living outside protected reserves — the alliance's focus on corridors and community coexistence addresses the frontier where the real conservation battle is being fought.
Key Takeaways
Royal Ranthambore Whisky (Radico Khaitan) and The Corbett Foundation marked World Tiger Day, 29 July by reaffirming their conservation partnership.
India's tiger population rose from 2,967 (2018) to 3,682 (2022) , growing at 6.1 per cent annually.
India is home to over 70 per cent of the world's wild tiger population.
Project Tiger now covers 58 reserves across 84,500 sq km in 18 states , up from 9 reserves at its 1973 launch.
Nearly one-third of India's tigers live outside designated reserves, making corridor and community programmes critical.
The Royal Ranthambore Heritage Collection — six limited-edition packs inspired by iconic tigers — was launched earlier this year.
Royal Ranthambore Whisky, the premium whisky brand from Radico Khaitan Ltd., marked World Tiger Day on 29 July by deepening its commitment to India's tiger conservation landscape through a formal partnership with The Corbett Foundation. The tie-up connects the brand's identity — rooted in one of India's most celebrated tiger habitats — with on-ground wildlife protection and community coexistence programmes.
India's Tiger Recovery: The Numbers
According to the latest All India Tiger Estimation, India's wild tiger population grew from 2,967 in 2018 to an estimated average of 3,682 in 2022, reflecting annual growth of 6.1 per cent. India now hosts over 70 per cent of the world's wild tiger population, making its conservation record one of the most significant wildlife recovery stories globally.
Launched in 1973 with just nine tiger reserves, Project Tiger has since expanded to 58 reserves covering nearly 84,500 sq km across 18 states. Notably, nearly one-third of India's tigers live outside designated reserves, underscoring the critical role of wildlife corridors, habitat connectivity, and human-wildlife coexistence initiatives.
What the Partnership Covers
Through the association with The Corbett Foundation, Royal Ranthambore seeks to support conservation programmes spanning veterinary care, livestock health camps, habitat restoration, biodiversity monitoring, and community-led coexistence initiatives around India's forest areas. As an umbrella species, the tiger's protection also safeguards the broader forest ecosystem and the many species that share its habitat.
The Heritage Collection and Brand Identity
Earlier this year, the brand launched the Royal Ranthambore Heritage Collection — six limited-edition collectible packs inspired by iconic tigers and rendered through distinctive Indian art forms. The collection blended wildlife, storytelling, and art to spotlight the individual legacies of some of India's most recognised tigers, reinforcing the brand's conservation-linked identity beyond marketing.
What the Brand Said
Kunal Madan, Chief Marketing Officer at Radico Khaitan Ltd., said: 'The tiger is deeply woven into India's cultural and natural heritage and has always been at the heart of the Royal Ranthambore story. While the brand celebrates the majesty and legacy of this magnificent animal, we also recognise the responsibility that comes with drawing inspiration from it. Our partnership with The Corbett Foundation reflects our commitment to supporting meaningful conservation efforts and helping preserve this legacy for future generations. World Tiger Day reminds us that protecting India's wildlife requires sustained and collective action.'
The partnership signals a broader trend of Indian consumer brands anchoring identity to environmental causes — a model that, conservation groups argue, is most credible when backed by verifiable, on-ground outcomes rather than brand association alone.
Point of View
But the credibility gap between marketing alignment and measurable impact remains wide. Royal Ranthambore's tie-up with The Corbett Foundation is more substantive than a logo placement — veterinary camps, habitat restoration, and biodiversity monitoring are verifiable programme categories. The harder question is whether disbursements and outcomes will be publicly disclosed. With nearly a third of India's tigers living outside protected reserves, corridor conservation is underfunded and under-reported; a brand with genuine reach could amplify that cause meaningfully, or merely borrow its halo. The difference lies in transparency.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Royal Ranthambore and Corbett Foundation partnership about?
Royal Ranthambore Whisky, from Radico Khaitan Ltd., has partnered with The Corbett Foundation to support tiger conservation across India's forest landscapes. The collaboration funds veterinary care, habitat restoration, biodiversity monitoring, and community coexistence initiatives around forest areas.
How many tigers does India have as of the latest count?
According to the All India Tiger Estimation, India's tiger population stood at an estimated average of 3,682 in 2022, up from 2,967 in 2018 — an annual growth rate of 6.1 per cent. India now accounts for over 70 per cent of the world's wild tiger population.
What is Project Tiger and how many reserves does it cover?
Project Tiger is India's flagship wildlife conservation programme, launched in 1973 with nine tiger reserves. It has since expanded to 58 reserves spanning nearly 84,500 sq km across 18 states.
Why does tiger conservation matter beyond the animal itself?
The tiger is an umbrella species, meaning its protection also conserves the broader forest ecosystem and the many other species that share its habitat. Forests preserved for tigers also provide carbon sinks, watershed protection, and livelihood support for surrounding communities.
What is the Royal Ranthambore Heritage Collection?
The Royal Ranthambore Heritage Collection is a set of six limited-edition collectible packs launched earlier in 2025, each inspired by an iconic Indian tiger and rendered through distinctive Indian art forms. The collection was designed to spotlight individual tiger legacies and draw public attention to conservation.
