KATHMANDU: Nepal is observing World Tiger Day on July 29 with renewed focus on tiger conservation, habitat protection, and the growing challenges of managing an expanding tiger population.

The annual observance was established following the 2010 Tiger Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, to reverse the global decline in wild tiger populations and protect their natural habitats. To mark the occasion, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment is set to release the findings of Nepal’s latest national tiger survey in the presence of Minister Gita Chaudhary.

Nepal conducts a nationwide tiger census approximately every four years. According to the 2022 census, the country was home to 355 wild tigers, with the largest population recorded in Chitwan National Park (128), followed by Bardia National Park (125), Parsa National Park (41), Shuklaphanta National Park (36), and Banke National Park (25).

Officials expect the latest survey to show a further increase in tiger numbers, citing improved habitat conditions, a growing prey base, and increased tiger presence in buffer zones and surrounding forests. Tigers are considered a key indicator of a healthy ecosystem and occupy the highest level of the natural food chain.

Global tiger population exceeds 5,300

Wild tigers are found in only 13 Asian countries: Nepal, India, China, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Russia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The global tiger population has increased from about 3,200 in 2010 to 5,357 in 2025. India has the world’s largest tiger population with 3,167, followed by Russia (750), Indonesia (400), Nepal (355), Thailand (189), Bhutan (151), Malaysia (150), Bangladesh (146), Myanmar (22), China (20), Vietnam (5), and Laos (2).

According to Buddhisagar Poudel, Nepal’s tiger population has grown steadily over the past decade—from 121 in 2010, to 198 in 2014, 235 in 2018, and 355 in 2022.

Nepal successfully achieved the international goal adopted at the 2010 Tiger Summit of doubling its tiger population by 2022, making the country one of the world’s leading examples of wildlife conservation.

Scientific survey across three tiger landscapes

The latest national tiger survey began in December and covered Nepal’s three major tiger conservation landscapes: the Chitwan–Parsa, Banke–Bardia, and Shuklaphanta–Laljhadi complexes.

Researchers divided tiger habitats into two-by-two-kilometre grid blocks and installed pairs of motion-sensitive camera traps in each grid for at least 15 consecutive days and nights. The captured images were then analyzed to identify individual tigers and estimate the national population.

The survey was led by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation with support from the Department of Forests and Soil Conservation, provincial governments, the Nepal Army, the National Trust for Nature Conservation, WWF Nepal, and Zoological Society of London. Around 250 personnel and 1,100 camera traps were deployed during the nationwide exercise.

Conservation success brings new challenges

The rapid growth in Nepal’s tiger population has also created significant conservation and management challenges, including increasing human-tiger conflict, habitat pressure, and infrastructure-related risks.

Residents living in buffer zones frequently enter forests to collect fodder, firewood, and other resources, increasing the risk of tiger encounters. Tigers also face threats from poaching, retaliatory killings, and road and railway accidents while moving through fragmented habitats.

Recent studies estimate Nepal’s current tiger habitat has a carrying capacity of approximately 400 tigers, prompting discussions about long-term population management.

Tiger sanctuary planned for rescued animals

Nepal currently has 16 problem tigers living in enclosures after being rescued from conflict situations, including attacks on people or livestock, or after being found injured.

Five tigers are being housed each at Chitwan National Park, Bardia National Park, and the Central Zoo in Jawalakhel, while one is being kept at Banke National Park.

To address the rising cost of caring for rescued tigers, the government is planning to establish a Tiger Sanctuary in Devnagar, Chitwan, covering about 52 hectares. Officials believe the sanctuary will provide a more natural environment for rescued tigers while also promoting eco-tourism and strengthening Nepal’s long-term wildlife conservation efforts.