Kathmandu: The International Tiger Day is being observed across Nepal by organizing various programs aimed at raising awareness for the conservation of Royal Bengal tigers. This annual observance, held on July 29, stems from a global commitment made at the 2010 Tiger Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, where heads of state and government aimed to spread public awareness regarding the conservation of these majestic creatures.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the Ministry of Forest and Environment is marking Global Tiger Day with several initiatives designed to engage the community. As of the 2022 census, the number of tigers in Nepal reached 355, surpassing the nation’s commitment to double the population from the 2009 figure of 121. This remarkable growth underscores Nepal’s success in its conservation efforts.
The increase in tiger numbers, however, brings challenges such as management, minimizing human-wildlife conflict, and enhancing tiger habitats. Discussions are ongoing regarding Nepal’s tiger c
arrying capacity, with some experts suggesting it is approximately 400. In response, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, National Trust for Nature Conservation, World Wildlife Fund, and Geological Society of London are collaborating with the Ministry of Forest to study this capacity further.
Nepal has been celebrating Global Tiger Day since 2067 BS and has consistently conducted tiger censuses to monitor population changes. Royal Bengal tigers inhabit several countries, including Nepal, India, China, Bhutan, Russia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Laos.
Globally, tiger numbers have seen a dramatic decline from an estimated 100,000 in 1900 to just 3,200 in 2010. However, due to concerted conservation efforts worldwide, the World Wildlife Fund reports that the population rebounded to 4,500 in 2022.