A nation-wide estimate of the overall tiger population done by the Nepal Government's Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) shows the presence of 121 breeding tigers in the wild within the four protected areas of Nepal. The 2008 tiger population estimate was jointly implemented by the DNPWC, Department of Forests (DOF), WWF, National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) with support from Save The Tiger Fund (STF), WWF-US, WWF-UK, WWF International and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
The 2008 population counts were conducted in the Terai Arc Landscape (TAL, which encompasses the Terai region of Nepal across the border into India.) of Nepal, both inside and outside neighboring protected areas.
"To obtain reliable population estimates of wide ranging species like the tiger, it is important to undertake the survey simultaneously in all potential habitats," says Dr. Rinjan Shrestha, Conservation Biologist with WWF Nepal. Previous studies had been undertaken in different time periods and at different spatial scales.
This Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) was caught on a camera trap in Nepal's Terai Arc Landscape as part of an estimate of tiger populations.
(Photo Credit: Government of Nepal)
"To derive information on both abundance and distribution of tigers, the current survey employed two methods. The camera-trapping method was used inside the protected areas, while Habitat Occupancy surveyed the tigers inside and outside the protected areas."
According to WWF Global Tiger Network Initiative, the wild tiger population is at a tipping point. Tigers are experiencing a range collapse, occupying 40 per cent less habitat than was estimated just one decade ago. The estimated number of tigers in important range countries is frighteningly low, with a recent government census suggesting there may be as few as 1,300 tigers left in India, the species' stronghold.
The main reason for the decline of tiger populations has been poaching and illegal trade. This has been linked to the illegal international trade of tiger parts and derivatives (skin, bones, and even meat). Other important causes of tiger population decline are habitat shrinkage and fragmentation due to human intervention, as well as a decline in the number of prey species.
"The tiger numbers have increased in Chitwan but decreased in Bardia and Shuklaphanta," said Mr. Anil Manandhar, Country Representative, WWF Nepal.
"In spite of the decade long insurgency, encroachment, poaching and illegal trade, the present numbers is a positive sign, but we can't remain unworried. The declining numbers in western Nepal has posed more challenges, needing a concerted effort to save this charismatic endangered species focusing on anti-poaching and illegal wildlife trade."
The Government of Nepal has approved and launched the 'Tiger conservation Action Plan 2008- 2012'. A comprehensive management plan has been devised in which the target is to increase the population of tigers by 10 per cent within the first 5 year period of the plan implementation.
"Tigers can not be saved by the effort of a single individual or a single organization," said Mr. Gopal Prasad Upadhyay, Director General, DNPWC. "The transboundary relation with India needs to be strengthened further and all organizations should work together to conserve tigers."
This Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) was caught on a camera trap in Nepal's Terai Arc Landscape as part of an estimate of tiger populations.
(Photo Credit: Government of Nepal)
Source: World Wildlife Fund