Nepal's Tiger Population Surges to 429 in Latest Census
Significant Growth in Nepal's Tiger Numbers
Representational Image of a tiger(Photo: X)
Kathmandu, July 29: The tiger population in Nepal has risen to 429 in 2026, up from 355 in 2022, showcasing the country's ongoing efforts in conserving these endangered big cats.
The National Tiger Census was released by Nepal's Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment on Wednesday, coinciding with World Tiger Day.
Every four years, Nepal conducts a comprehensive tiger census across the nation.
This latest count marks a significant achievement in Nepal's conservation journey, with the wild tiger population increasing from a mere 121 in 2009 to 429 in 2026.
The rise in tiger numbers aligns with the growth of Nepal's forest cover, which, according to a detailed World Bank report, expanded from 29 percent in 1994 to over 46 percent by 2022.
Since the Tiger Summit in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 2010, which endorsed the St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation, there has been a notable global recovery in tiger populations.
Hari Bhadra Acharya, a senior ecologist at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, remarked, "This is a significant milestone for Nepal. The country has not only succeeded in conserving an endangered species but has also increased its tiger population steadily."
He emphasized that these results further solidify Nepal's status as a leader in global tiger conservation efforts.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reported that the global wild tiger population had plummeted to around 3,200 in 2010, reflecting a 97 percent decrease from historical figures. Currently, the population has rebounded to 5,574, with India housing the largest number at 3,682.
According to the recent census, the Chitwan–Parsa landscape boasts the highest concentration of tigers, with 145 in Chitwan, 112 in Bardiya National Park and its adjacent forests, 71 in Parsa National Park, 51 in Banke National Park, and 50 in Shuklaphanta National Park.
The census utilized the camera trap method, deploying automatic cameras throughout tiger habitats to capture images of the animals, as stated by the Department under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment.
Each tiger was identified by its unique stripe patterns, akin to human fingerprints. The data collected underwent analysis using statistical models to estimate the overall population.
Approximately 1,100 camera traps were strategically placed across 1,900 survey points during various phases of the census, conducted by a team of 250 to 300 technical experts and field personnel.
Acharya noted that the increasing tiger population presents two major conservation challenges: managing the growing population through sustainable habitat practices and mitigating human-tiger conflicts.
"Nepal must prioritize the long-term protection and management of tiger habitats to sustain the current population," he stated. "As tiger numbers rise, so do the encounters and conflicts with humans, making conflict management a significant conservation challenge for the future."
To tackle one of these issues, Nepal is planning its first Tiger Sanctuary in Chitwan National Park. This facility aims to create a more natural habitat for rescued and problematic tigers while also fostering eco-tourism.
"Problematic tigers" refer to those that threaten human safety, often due to age or injury that prevents them from hunting effectively. Acharya explained that the proposed sanctuary at Devnagar in Chitwan will span approximately 52 hectares and is designed to house 18 to 20 tigers, providing long-term care for rescued animals and serving as a key eco-tourism attraction.