Kathmandu, July 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Nepal has recorded a significant rise in its wild tiger population, with the latest national census estimating 429 tigers in 2026, up from 355 in 2022 and just 121 in 2009, underscoring the country’s sustained success in wildlife conservation.
The National Tiger Census 2026 was unveiled by Nepal’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment on Wednesday to mark World Tiger Day. Nepal conducts a nationwide tiger census approximately once every four years.
The latest figures reflect the country’s continued progress in protecting the endangered species, supported by expanding forest cover and long-term conservation efforts. According to a World Bank report, Nepal’s forest cover increased from 29 per cent in 1994 to more than 46 per cent in 2022.
The growth in Nepal’s tiger population comes amid a broader global recovery in tiger numbers following the 2010 St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation, which set a target of doubling the global wild tiger population. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the global tiger population has recovered from about 3,200 in 2010 to 5,574, with India accounting for the world’s largest population of 3,682 tigers.
Hari Bhadra Acharya, Senior Ecologist at Nepal’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, described the latest census as a major conservation milestone.
“Not only has Nepal succeeded in conserving an endangered species, but it has also steadily increased its tiger population,” he said, adding that the achievement reinforces the country’s standing as a global leader in tiger conservation.
According to the census, the Chitwan–Parsa landscape supports the highest tiger population in the country. The Chitwan area has 145 tigers, followed by Bardiya National Park and surrounding forests with 112 tigers. Parsa National Park has 71 tigers, Banke National Park and adjoining forests 51, while Shuklaphanta National Park and nearby forests are home to 50 tigers.
The census was carried out using nearly 1,100 camera traps deployed across about 1,900 survey locations. Individual tigers were identified through their unique stripe patterns, and the data were analysed using statistical models by a multidisciplinary team of 250 to 300 experts and field personnel.
While welcoming the increase in tiger numbers, Acharya said the country now faces new conservation challenges, including ensuring adequate habitat for the growing population and mitigating rising human-tiger conflicts.
To address these concerns, Nepal has initiated plans for its first Tiger Sanctuary in Chitwan National Park. The proposed facility at Devnagar will cover around 52 hectares and is expected to accommodate 18 to 20 rescued or problematic tigers, while also promoting eco-tourism and conservation awareness.
FOLLOW NOW
