Nepal counts record 429 tigers amid growing habitat concerns

Nepal's tiger population has surged to a record 429, a significant achievement in the country's celebrated conservation efforts. The latest national census, released on World Tiger Day, shows a jump of 74 tigers since the 2022 count, which recorded 355.

Chitwan National Park and its buffer zone, the primary tiger habitat, now hosts 145 tigers, up from 128. Other protected areas like Parsa National Park saw numbers rise to 71 from 41, and Banke National Park increased to 51 from 25. Shuklaphanta National Park recorded 50 tigers, an increase from 36. However, Bardiya National Park, once a prime tiger-spotting location, is the only area where numbers declined, dropping from 125 to 112.

“

The increase in tiger numbers is encouraging not only for conservation but also for the country’s tourism industry. It strengthens Nepal's reputation as a global conservation success.

Conservationists have lauded the figures, attributing them to years of dedicated investment in habitat restoration, anti-poaching measures, prey recovery, and cross-border collaboration with India. "The increase in tiger numbers is encouraging not only for conservation but also for the country’s tourism industry," said wildlife researcher Baburam Lamichhane. "It strengthens Nepal's reputation as a global conservation success."

While the growing tiger population is a conservation triumph, it also brings challenges. Officials and conservationists acknowledge the need for enhanced habitat management and strategies to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. "We will continue conservation programmes by incorporating community concerns," stated Dil Bahadur Pun, chief conservation officer at Chitwan National Park, emphasizing future efforts to sustain the population and ensure coexistence.

“

We will continue conservation programmes by incorporating community concerns