Nepal’s tiger population on the rise
Kathmandu : Tiger population in the Bardiya National Park has doubled in the last three years, a new study reported.Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) today made public the new tiger population on the occasion of third Global Tiger Day with the slogan ‘stop wildlife crime, it’s dead serious’.
According to the DNPWC, the tiger number in the park using latest technology in March this year counted 37, which was only 18 in 2009.Of the total tigers, 15 are male and 22 female.
About 223 cameras were set up in the forest for fifteen days to confirm the population of tigers.According to Ecologist Maheswhor Dhakal, photos and particularly stripes of their bodies mark were significant features to differentiate them from each other.
Likewise, tiger population in the Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve has increased to 10 from 8 in 2010.
According to a census report, the number of tiger has increased from 155 to 176 in 2010.
Conservationists have lauded the efforts of DNPWC for the increase of tiger population. Tiger population in 2008 was 121, 126 in 2005, 109 in 2000 and 98 in 1998.
The tiger population in the world is estimated to be around 3,300.
DNPWC Director General Krishna Acharya was hopeful that Nepal would be able to double the tiger population by 2020 as per the St. Petersburg Declaration by 13 countries including Nepal.
However, he underlined the imperative need to keep controlling the tiger poaching to reach the target.
The DNPWC also appointed film star Rajesh Hamal as the WWF’s goodwill Ambassador.Speaking at the programme, the film star pledged to initiate tiger preservation and strengthen anti-poaching activities.“Tiger is the umbrella of various species that benefits us in multiple dimensions,” Hamal said. He appealed everyone for joining hands to conserve the endangered animal.
Previously former Miss Nepal Malina Joshi was the tiger conservation ambassador.
In a bid to recognise their roles in controlling poaching, WWF had managed to collect best wishes cards for the rangers in both the Chitwan National Parks and the Bardiya National Parks.The two parks are home to the largest number of endangered tigers in Nepal. Chitwan National Parks has 125 tigers as per the tiger counting of 2009. Source : HNS
In the last 18 months, Nepal has achieved zero tolerance to poaching of endangered species, thanks to the initiative taken to preserve the wildlife.
