Nepal’s Tiger Population Rises to 429 From 121 in 2009

Kathmandu–Nepal’s wild tiger population has increased to 429 in 2026 from 355 in 2022, marking another major gain in the country’s efforts to conserve the endangered big cats.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment released the findings of the latest National Tiger Census on Wednesday to mark World Tiger Day. Nepal conducts a nationwide tiger census approximately every four years.

The country’s tiger population has more than tripled since 2009, when 121 animals were recorded.

“This is a major achievement for Nepal,” Hari Bhadra Acharya, senior ecologist at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, said. “Not only has the country succeeded in conserving an endangered species, but it has also managed to steadily increase its tiger population.”

Acharya said the results further strengthened Nepal’s position as a global leader in tiger conservation.

The increase has coincided with an expansion of Nepal’s forest cover. According to a World Bank report, forests covered about 29% of the country in 1994, rising to more than 46% in 2022.

Global efforts to restore tiger populations gained momentum after the 2010 Tiger Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, where participating countries endorsed a goal of doubling the number of wild tigers by 2022.

The World Wildlife Fund estimated that the global wild tiger population had fallen to about 3,200 in 2010, a decline of approximately 97% from historical levels. The population has since recovered to an estimated 5,574, with India home to the largest number at 3,682.

Nepal’s latest census found 145 tigers in the Chitwan area, the highest number in any of the country’s tiger landscapes. Bardiya National Park and surrounding forests were home to 112 tigers, followed by Parsa National Park and nearby areas with 71.

Banke National Park and adjoining forests had 51 tigers, while Shuklaphanta National Park and its surrounding areas recorded 50.

The census relied primarily on camera traps installed throughout tiger habitats. Individual animals were identified through their unique stripe patterns, which researchers analyzed using statistical models to estimate the total population.

About 1,100 automatic cameras were rotated across 1,900 survey locations in several blocks and phases. The effort involved between 250 and 300 technical experts and field personnel.

Acharya said the growing tiger population has also created new challenges, including the need to maintain adequate habitat and reduce conflicts between people and wildlife.

“Nepal must ensure the long-term protection and effective management of tiger habitats to maintain the current population,” he said. “As tiger numbers increase, encounters and conflicts between people and tigers are also becoming more frequent. Reducing and effectively managing human-tiger conflict will be one of Nepal’s biggest conservation challenges in the years ahead.”

Nepal is planning its first tiger sanctuary in Chitwan National Park to provide long-term care for rescued animals and tigers considered a threat to public safety.

The proposed facility at Devnagar would cover about 52 hectares and accommodate between 18 and 20 tigers. Officials said it could also become an eco-tourism destination.

Problematic tigers are typically older or injured animals that can no longer hunt their usual prey and may pose a threat to nearby communities. (Source: IANS)