Nepal celebrates World Tiger Day, focuses on rising tiger numbers and human-wildlife conflict

Nepal is marking World Tiger Day today (July 29) to raise awareness about the importance of tiger conservation.

The day has been celebrated globally since 2010, when the first Global Tiger Summit was held in St. Petersburg, Russia. Nepal, like other countries, observes the day with various programs led by the Ministry of Forests and Environment.

According to Nepal’s 2022 national tiger census, the country now has 355 tigers, nearly three times more than in 2009, when there were only 121. This increase has drawn both praise and concern.

Managing more tigers brings new challenges

As Nepal’s tiger population grows, managing human-tiger conflict has become more difficult. People living near protected areas face threats when collecting firewood or grazing livestock. Some tigers have attacked humans or livestock, causing fear among communities.

Other issues include poaching, accidental deaths from crossing roads or large infrastructure, and increasing pressure on tiger habitats.

Nepal’s tiger capacity is about 400

Experts say Nepal can support up to 400 tigers, based on habitat size and available resources. But to sustain them, better habitat quality—like more grasslands, water sources, and prey—is needed.

Dr. Bhagawanraj Dahal, a representative of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), said that the current number is still within Nepal’s capacity. He stressed improving the quality of tiger habitats rather than worrying about overpopulation.

Tigers found in 13 countries

Tigers live in 13 countries, including Nepal, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, Russia, and several Southeast Asian nations. The 2010 summit had committed to doubling the global tiger population by 2022.

Nepal not only met this goal but nearly tripled its numbers—from 121 in 2009 to 355 in 2022.

Most tigers in Nepal are found in:

• Chitwan National Park: 128
• Bardiya National Park: 125
• Parsa: 41
• Shuklaphanta: 36
• Banke: 25

Tigers and tourism

Dr. Chiranjivi Pokharel from the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) highlighted the importance of tigers in boosting eco-tourism in Nepal. However, he explained that tigers leave their habitats due to fights, lack of water, or searching for food, leading to conflicts with humans.

He said efforts should focus on coexistence, where humans change their behavior—like avoiding tiger zones—to reduce conflict. Awareness programs and skill-building projects are being run in local communities.

Global tiger population now over 5,300

In 1900, the global tiger population was estimated at around 100,000. By 2010, that number had dropped to 3,200. Thanks to conservation efforts, the global population rose to 5,357 by 2025, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Here’s the breakdown of tigers by country (approximate 2025 data):

• India: 3,167
• Russia: 750
• Indonesia: 400
• Nepal: 355
• Thailand: 189
• Bhutan: 151
• Malaysia: 150
• Bangladesh: 146
• Myanmar: 22
• China: 20
• Vietnam: 5
• Laos: 2

Problem tigers on the rise

Nepal is currently caring for 18 problem tigers—those that have attacked humans or livestock or were found injured. These tigers are kept in enclosures at:

• Jawalakhel Zoo, Lalitpur: 5
• Chitwan National Park: 7
• Bardiya National Park: 4
• Banke and Parsa: 1 each

The government spends a large amount each year on their food, care, and medical treatment.

There are discussions about setting up a special tiger sanctuary (Tiger Zoo) to manage such tigers, offering them as gifts to friendly nations, or housing them in provincial zoos to generate income. In some cases, euthanasia is also being debated if no other solution works.

Nepal’s success in tiger conservation is a global example. However, with more tigers comes more responsibility to protect people, improve habitats, and ensure peaceful coexistence between humans and these majestic animals.