Tiger Conservation Feat

Nepal has achieved a significant milestone in tiger conservation by nearly tripling the population of the charismatic wild cat. Nepal has achieved the ambitious global commitment of the St. Petersburg Summit with flying colors. In Nepal, there were 122 tigers in 2010. As per the latest census in 2022, the number of tigers increased to 355. Habitat management, anti-poaching measures and active engagement of local communities have made it possible for Nepal to achieve this extraordinary conservation success. After achieving remarkable success in increasing the tiger population, habitat management and mitigating human-tiger conflict have emerged as two key challenges for the government. 

The encounter between tigers and people have invited some hostile situation and bitter consequences. People living in the vicinity of the national parks and conservation areas get job opportunities and their local produce gets the market. But sometimes locals have to pay the price of conservation at the cost of their lives and livestock. Human Tiger Coexistence a Pathway to Prosperity is Nepal's slogan on World Tiger Day 2024. The theme underscores urgent action for mitigating human-tiger conflicts, managing prey-based habitats effectively and constructing safe habitats, to ensure that future generations too would be able to behold these majestic creatures.

Many people and livestock get killed in human-tiger conflicts each year. People living near national parks and conservation areas are more prone to human-tiger conflict, as the habitats of both overlap with each other. The government needs to focus on educating people living near these areas on how to make themselves safe from these conflicts. A few years back the sole concern of the government was on increasing the number of tigers, but with the rise in tiger population, the government should give equal attention to manage and minimise human-tiger conflict. Concerned local governments should be equipped with necessary resources to minimise these conflicts. 

The shrinking of habitat has posed unprecedented challenges to human-wildlife coexistence and tiger conservation. Deforestation, wildfires and encroachment of forests have resulted in the shrinking of the habitat of wild animals. Habitat encroachment by humans and low availability of prey animals in the wild are the main reasons for human-tiger conflict. The national parks and protected areas are properly managed which has made it possible for tigers to thrive and multiply. But this alone is not the long-term solution to mitigate human-tiger conflict. Keeping wild animals like tigers and rhinos confined to national parks is not a long-term solution. Space should be created outside these protected areas  which calls for expansion of habitat to keep up with the rising population of wild animals. Human-animal conflict worsens when more jungle areas are cleared for human settlement. 

Royal Bengal tiger attracts numerous tourists to Nepal every year, which generates revenue for the country and the boost in ecotourism generates employment opportunities for those involved in the hospitality sector. Eco-tourism can hugely benefit the locals residing in the vicinity of the national parks and conservation areas. Promoting human-tiger coexistence, minimising poaching and proliferating knowledge and research on tiger are essential for the sustainable conservation of tigers. Nepal can be a prominent destination for nature enthusiasts if we become able to sustain wildlife conservation as demonstrated by the tripling of tiger population.