World Tiger Day: Tiger Population in Nepal Reaches 429, Detailed Counting Process Announced
The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation has announced that the tiger population in Nepal has reached 429. The results of the recent tiger census were released on Wednesday to mark World Tiger Day. The Agriculture, Forest and Environment Minister, Gita Chaudhary, formally presented the findings. Since 2009, Nepal has conducted a tiger census every four years. The previous census in 2021 reported 355 tigers residing in their natural habitats across the country. Among them, 128 were in Chitwan, 125 in Bardiya, 25 in Banke, 36 in Shuklaphanta, and 41 in Parsa.
Currently, the highest number of tigers is observed in and around Chitwan National Park, where 145 tigers were recorded. Bardiya National Park and surrounding forests have 112 tigers. The count in Parsa National Park and adjacent areas stands at 71, while Banke and Shuklaphanta National Parks and their surroundings host 51 and 50 tigers respectively.
The latest national tiger survey began on Poush 1, 2082 (mid-December 2025) and concluded on Vaisakh 10, 2083 (late April 2026). The department stated that camera trapping technology was used to estimate tiger numbers in the five major tiger habitats and adjacent forests across Nepal. These habitats were divided into three complexes for the census — the Chitwan-Parsa complex, the Banke-Bardiya complex, and the Shuklaphanta-Laljhadi complex.
The government of Nepal collaborated with various donor agencies for this census. Based on analysis, the total tiger population in Nepal is estimated to range between 402 and 500. In an official statement issued by Deputy Director General and spokesperson Vedkumar Dhakal, it was noted, “These results reflect the positive outcomes of ongoing efforts in habitat protection and management, anti-poaching measures, prey species conservation, and biological corridor preservation in Nepal’s tiger conservation initiatives.”
