Nepal’s tiger population triples to 429, marking major conservation win

Kathmandu: Nepal’s tiger population has climbed sharply to 429, more than triple the number recorded in 2009, according to the country’s latest big cat census.

The new figures build on Nepal’s success in becoming the first country to meet a global pledge made by 13 nations in 2010 to double tiger numbers by 2022.

Tigers have been decimated over the last century by habitat loss and poaching for the illegal wildlife trade. Global tiger numbers fell from around 100,000 in the early-20th century to just 3,200 in 2010. Thanks to conservation efforts, the worldwide population has since rebounded to around 5,500 today.

“Their recovery stands as one of the world’s greatest conservation achievements and demonstrates what determined political will, scientific management, and committed protection can accomplish,” said Keshav Varma, founding director of the Global Tiger Forum.

Despite the gains, Varma cautioned that the work is not finished. He pointed to a resurgence of poaching and continued habitat loss as ongoing threats. “Building momentum and sustaining it is fundamental,” he added.

Conservationists credit Nepal’s progress to stronger anti-poaching patrols, habitat restoration, and community engagement in tiger range areas.