Nepal’s Wild Tiger Population Reaches 429, Marking a Historic Conservation Milestone

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Nepal’s Wild Tiger Population Reaches 429, Marking a Historic Conservation Milestone

Nepal’s Wild Tiger Population Reaches 429, Marking a Historic Conservation Milestone

Ganesh Khatiwada 2026-07-29 11:50:26

Kathmandu, July 29 - Nepal has recorded 429 wild Bengal tigers, according to the latest national tiger census, reaffirming the country’s status as one of the world’s leading examples of successful wildlife conservation.
The new figure represents a remarkable recovery from 121 tigers in 2009, meaning Nepal has more than tripled its wild tiger population within just over a decade. Conservation experts have described the achievement as a significant contribution to global efforts to protect the endangered Bengal tiger.
Tigers Concentrated in the Terai Arc Landscape
Wild tigers in Nepal inhabit the Terai Arc Landscape, a network of forests, grasslands and river systems stretching across the southern lowlands along the border with India. The species is strictly protected within five major national parks and adjoining biological corridors.
According to the census:
Chitwan National Park supports the largest population with 145 tigers and remains Nepal’s best-known wildlife tourism destination.
Bardiya National Park holds 112 tigers and is considered one of the country’s most promising sites for tiger sightings.
Parsa National Park has shown the most dramatic recent increase, reaching 71 tigers.
Banke National Park contains 51 tigers and serves as an important habitat extension connected to Bardiya.
Steady Growth Through Conservation Efforts
Nepal’s tiger recovery has been driven by a combination of strict anti-poaching enforcement, habitat restoration, scientific monitoring, and community-based conservation programmes.
The national tiger population has grown steadily:
2009: 121
This progress has been achieved through coordinated efforts involving the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, security agencies, conservation organisations, local communities, and international partners.
New Challenges Emerging
While the increase is being celebrated, conservationists caution that higher tiger densities also bring new management challenges.
Human-wildlife conflict has become more frequent in some buffer-zone communities where residents enter forests to collect firewood, fodder and other resources. Encounters with tigers can threaten both human safety and tiger conservation efforts.
Another concern is habitat fragmentation caused by expanding infrastructure such as highways, transmission lines and irrigation canals, which can disrupt traditional wildlife corridors connecting protected areas.
Authorities are also discussing improved approaches for managing individual tigers that repeatedly enter human settlements, including the possibility of dedicated holding facilities or large semi-natural enclosures for rehabilitation and conflict mitigation.
A Global Conservation Success Story
Nepal’s achievement is particularly significant because the Bengal tiger remains classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The country has demonstrated that sustained political commitment, effective law enforcement and community participation can reverse the decline of a top predator once facing severe threats from poaching and habitat loss.
Conservationists emphasise that maintaining this success will require protecting wildlife corridors, strengthening coexistence measures for local communities, and ensuring that future development projects incorporate ecological safeguards.
With 429 wild Bengal tigers now roaming its protected lowland forests, Nepal has not only secured a major national conservation milestone but has also provided an encouraging example for tiger-range countries across Asia.
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2014: 198
Shuklaphanta National Park supports 50 tigers and is renowned for its extensive grasslands and large swamp deer population.
2018: 235
2022: 355
Latest census: 429