Tiger Conservation in Nepal: High Costs of Captive Care and Challenges in Resource Management
Despite achieving ‘notable’ success in conserving the rare Bengal tiger (patebāgh), Nepal faces challenges in managing ‘problematic’ tigers. These are mainly tigers that have attacked humans and are classified as ‘problematic tigers.’ Recent counts in various national parks and surrounding forests reveal an increase in the tiger population, raising concerns about escalating conflicts between humans and wildlife. Authorities have highlighted difficulties in conserving and maintaining problematic tigers located across different regions of Nepal.
According to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, tigers that enter human settlements, attack people or livestock, or are injured and incapacitated, cannot be released back into the wild. Such tigers are kept under control in holding centers or rescue facilities. Currently, there are 16 problematic tigers housed in various holding centers and rescue centers across the country.
Distribution details: There are seven tigers in Chitwan National Park, five in Bardiya National Park, three in Jawalakhel Central Zoo, and one in Banke National Park, totaling 16 problematic tigers. Among these, eight are male and seven are female, according to Senior Research Officer Dr. Ganesh Pant of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. He explained that these tigers are preserved in holding and treatment centers.
Budget Constraints: Officials have reported that feeding and medical treatment expenses for tigers in holding and treatment centers may face shortages. Avinash Thapa, information officer at Chitwan National Park, stated that one tiger requires about six kilograms of meat daily. Feeding just six tigers in the parks costs over NPR 100,000 monthly. He added, “Care of tigers involves costs for staff, technical support, and treatment, but the government provides only NPR 400,000 to 500,000 annually.” Expenses are partly covered by the Mid-Level Area Management Committee for Wildlife Rescue and Treatment, consumer committees, the National Nature Conservation Fund, and internal funds of Chitwan National Park.
Lack of Holding Centers: Due to budgetary shortfalls, the number of suitable holding centers for problematic tigers remains limited. The scarcity of adequate holding centers has complicated the accommodation of these tigers. Dr. Ganesh Pant informed that Nepal currently has only 17 holding centers capable of housing tigers—seven in Chitwan, five in Bardiya, one in Banke, two in Shuklaphanta, and two in Parsa. One of the holding centers in Chitwan is reportedly non-functional. With the increasing number of problematic tigers, the shortage of holding centers poses a growing challenge, noted Avinash Thapa.
Rescue Efforts: Over the past five years, Bardiya and Banke National Parks have rescued 25 tigers, while Chitwan and Parsa National Parks have rescued 31 problematic tigers over six years. None of the rescued tigers have caused further harm, according to reports. Tigers found near settlements are fitted with radio collars and relocated to core park areas. Severely injured, weak, or non-hunting tigers are kept in holding centers, said tiger expert Baburam Lamichhane. A study from 2010 to 2024 indicates that tigers have attacked 245 people, resulting in 141 fatalities.
‘Tiger Sanctuary’ Development Plan: In response to the growing number of problematic tigers, the government has allocated NPR 50 million to build a ‘Tiger Sanctuary’ for their management. Heribhadra Acharya, an ecologist at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, explained that the sanctuary will be established in the Devnagar forest area of Chitwan. An enclosure spanning 50 to 52 hectares will provide an open space for tigers to roam freely. This sanctuary will house problematic tigers and include a center dedicated to treating injured and weak tigers. Recent tiger population monitoring in Nepal reported a total population of 429 tigers.
