Chitwan's tiger population soars to 14 in buffer zone monitoring

CHITWAN: In a positive development for wildlife conservation, the tiger population in the buffer zone of Chitwan National Park, adjacent to the Balmiki Tiger Reserve in India, has seen a notable increase.

A recent monitoring effort by Chitwan National Park (CNP) spanning 40 days from October 12 this year has revealed the presence of 14 Royal Bengal tigers.

The survey, meticulously conducted by CNP, identified eight female and four male tigers within the designated buffer zone. To facilitate this extensive monitoring, the bio-route was divided into 62 grids, with each grid covering an area of two square kilometers. A total of 62 pairs of cameras were strategically installed to capture the movements and activities of the tigers.

This marked increase in the tiger population is a significant leap from the findings of previous surveys. In 2018, only three tigers were recorded, and the number rose to eight in the 2022 National Tiger Survey. The commendable surge in tiger numbers is attributed to the collaborative efforts of the local community actively participating in conservation initiatives and the relentless dedication of the park authorities.

Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, the Public Information Officer of CNP, highlighted the impact of community involvement and the strenuous endeavors of the park office in achieving this remarkable conservation success. The encouraging results of the recent survey underscore the importance of sustained efforts and community engagement in safeguarding the Royal Bengal tiger population in the region.