Chitwan, Nepal - Nepal is set to launch its nationwide tiger census from Poush 1(December 16, 2025), marking the beginning of a three-month-long scientific assessment of tiger populations across major national parks. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation has designated Chitwan and Parsa National Parks as a single census block, while similar efforts will be carried out in Banke, Bardiya, and Shuklaphanta National Parks.
According to Avinash Thapa Magar, Information Officer at Chitwan National Park, a two-day training session will be conducted on Poush 1 and 2 for all personnel involved in the census. Park officials, technicians from the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), local volunteers, students, and conservation partners will participate. Around 150 trained individuals will be mobilized for the field operation beginning Poush 3.
900 Grids to Be Monitored Through Camera Traps
For Chitwan and Parsa alone, 900 grids-each representing two square kilometers-have been established for monitoring. The parks will be divided into three sectors, with cameras placed in each sector for 20 days. Each sector comprises 300 grids, and one motion-sensitive camera will be installed per grid. Field technicians will stay in temporary camps strategically located between the grids to ensure daily monitoring.
Magar explained that depending on the terrain, cameras placed in grids numbered eight to twelve will be checked every day. Once the camera-trapping phase concludes, researchers will begin the analysis. Tigers will be identified using their unique stripe patterns captured by these automated cameras. Every tiger has a distinct stripe configuration, enabling accurate population estimation.
Three Complexes for National-Level Monitoring
The national tiger census will be conducted through three major complexes:
Complex 1: Chitwan and Parsa National Parks
Complex 2: Banke and Bardiya National Parks, divided into three blocks
Complex 3: Shuklaphanta National Park and Laljhadi, combined into a single block
Previous Census Recorded 335 Adult Tigers in Nepal
In the previous national census conducted in 2022, Nepal recorded 335 adult tigers. Of these, 128 were recorded in Chitwan, 125 in Bardiya, 25 in Banke, 41 in Parsa, and 36 in Shuklaphanta. Nepal’s tiger population has been globally recognized for its significant recovery over the past decade, reflecting the country’s strong conservation initiatives.
Rhino Census to Follow After Budget Delays
Following the completion of the tiger census, the Department plans to undertake the nationally important rhino census. Although Nepal conducts rhino counts every four years, last year’s operation was stalled due to budget constraints. Authorities now plan to conduct the rhino census using a refined methodology this year.
