Nepal’s prime minister worries about rising tiger numbers and human-tiger conflicts

Nepal has been widely praised for its successful conservation efforts, which have led to a significant increase in the country’s tiger population. However, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has raised concerns about the growing number of tigers, suggesting that Nepal may have too many.

At an event reviewing the country’s COP29 results last month, Oli said: “In such a small country, we have more than 350 tigers… We cannot have so many tigers and let them eat people.”

Government data shows that tiger attacks resulted in nearly 40 deaths and 15 injuries between 2019 and 2023, although local communities believe the actual numbers are higher.

Oli suggested that Nepal’s tiger population could be capped at 150, suggesting the country could consider sending some of its tigers to other nations as diplomatic gifts.

Experts, however, argue that the focus should not be on reducing the number of tigers, but on expanding protected areas with sufficient prey for the animals.

Tiger biologist Ullas Karanth stressed that the number of tigers in an area should depend on the availability of prey, with each tiger ideally requiring access to around 500 game such as deer or antelope. Dr. Karanth suggests that the Nepalese government should prioritize the expansion of protected areas to maintain a sustainable balance between tiger populations and prey densities.

Human-tiger conflicts, particularly in areas bordering forests, have become more frequent as wildlife travels outside protected areas in search of food. The buffer zones between national parks and human settlements, where locals graze cattle and collect firewood, have seen an increase in tiger sightings and attacks.

The forest corridors, which connect different national parks and reserves, have also become dangerous areas for the locals as they are often used for foraging and grazing. Zoologist Karan Shah noted that the increase in human deaths signals potential flaws in Nepal’s conservation model.

While Oli has suggested sending some tigers abroad, experts like Dr. Karanth argues that tigers responsible for repeated human deaths should be removed from the wild.

However, some critics suggest that human encroachment on tiger habitats has exacerbated the problem, reducing the availability of prey and increasing the likelihood of conflict.

A wildlife management expert told the BBC that Oli’s proposal may be motivated by a desire to clear the land for infrastructure development, rather than public safety concerns.

The situation remains unresolved, with debate continuing as to whether the increasing number of tigers or human interference is responsible for the increase in tiger attacks. What is clear is that Nepal faces significant challenges in balancing its conservation success with the safety of its people and the well-being of its wildlife.