Nepal’s conservation work has substantially increased the number of tigers over the past decade. After the 13 tiger range countries, including Nepal, pledged to double the number of tigers in 12 years since 2009, the Himalayan nation has succeeded in almost tripling the numbers from 121 then to 355 in 2022.
The next tiger census is yet to happen. Haribhadra Acharya, DNPWC’s Information Officer and senior ecologist said reasons for tigers straying into human habitations near the protected areas or buffer zone vary for each and every individual.
The tigers can be old, sick or wounded and cannot prey on herbivorous animals in their natural habitat. Such tigers usually enter human settlements in search of food and start creating problems for the local people, Acharya explained.
Loss of habitat for various reasons also contributes to tigers straying beyond forests.
As recently as on July 22, a tiger that had entered a human settlement from Chitwan National Park was brought under control and captured from Buddhanagar in Bharatpur Metropolis, Ganga Prasad Khatiwada, Chief Conservation Officer of the park, told local media.
Nepal’s current tiger carrying capacity is around 400, the WWF Nepal official said, adding, the issue of carrying capacity was also discussed during the International Tigers’ Day on July 29 at a meeting in Kathmandu.
The experts participating in the meeting pointed out that the carrying capacity of the tiger is not a big issue as such. The five protected areas that are home to the tiger species are Chitwan, Bardiya, Shuklaphanta, Bankey and Parsa.