Nepal Proposes Dedicated Park for Tigers Involved in Human Fatalities
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Nepal's government has proposed creating a 124-acre park to house tigers involved in human fatalities, aiming to move them from overcrowded temporary holding centers. The plan, which could be self-financed through tourism, addresses a growing tiger population and the challenge of managing conflict animals. A senior ecologist stated the current annual cost for each captive tiger is about $10,000.
Facts First
- A 50-hectare park is proposed in the Durganar–Tikauli forest near Chitwan National Park to house 'problem' tigers.
- The plan aims to move tigers from overcrowded holding centers where 15 tigers were placed between 2019 and 2023.
- The facility is intended to be self-financed through tourism revenue to cover food and veterinary care.
- Nepal's Bengal tiger population grew significantly from 121 in 2009 to 355 in 2022.
- Government records show 38 people died in tiger attacks between 2019 and 2023.
What Happened
The Nepal government has proposed creating a dedicated park for tigers involved in human fatalities. The 50-hectare (124-acre) facility is planned for the Durganar–Tikauli forest near Chitwan National Park. The proposal aims to relocate tigers from current overcrowded holding centers, where 15 tigers were placed between 2019 and 2023. Hari Bhadra Acharya, a senior ecologist with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, chairs the committee exploring the plan.
Why this Matters to You
If you live in or near tiger habitats in Nepal, this plan could directly impact your safety by providing a dedicated, managed facility for dangerous animals, potentially reducing future conflicts. The proposal may also affect local tourism, creating a new, self-financed attraction that could generate revenue for conservation. For the broader public, it represents a concrete attempt to balance the success of tiger conservation—the population grew from 121 to 355 between 2009 and 2022—with human safety, following a period where 38 people died in tiger attacks.
What's Next
The committee chaired by Hari Bhadra Acharya will continue to explore the plan's feasibility. The proposed park's success will likely depend on its ability to generate sufficient tourism revenue to cover the estimated $10,000 annual cost per tiger for food and care. If implemented, the facility could serve as a model for other regions grappling with similar human-wildlife conflict challenges.