KATHMANDU: Nepal’s tiger population has climbed to a record 429, according to the National Tiger Census 2026, underscoring the country’s continued success in wildlife conservation and habitat protection.

The Ministry of Forests and Environment unveiled the Tiger Census Report 2026 on Tuesday to mark Global Tiger Day, with Minister for Forests and Environment Gita Chaudhary officially releasing the findings.

The census shows that Chitwan National Park remains Nepal’s largest tiger habitat, hosting 145 tigers, followed by Bardiya National Park (112), Parsa National Park (71), Banke National Park (51), and Shuklaphanta National Park (50).

The latest figure represents an increase of 74 tigers from the 355 recorded in 2022, reflecting sustained improvements in protected area management, habitat conservation, prey availability, and anti-poaching measures.

Nepal conducts a nationwide tiger census every four years. The 2022 survey recorded 355 tigers, including 128 in Chitwan, 125 in Bardiya, 41 in Parsa, 36 in Shuklaphanta, and 25 in Banke.
Tiger numbers in Nepal have shown a remarkable upward trend over the past decade and a half. The country recorded 121 tigers in 2010, 198 in 2014, 235 in 2018, 355 in 2022, and 429 in 2026, highlighting one of the world’s most notable conservation success stories.

Observed annually on July 29, Global Tiger Day was established following the 2010 Tiger Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, to raise awareness about tiger conservation and support efforts to protect the species and its natural habitat worldwide.