Nepal and WWF Sign Agreement to Manage Human-Tiger Conflict with $4.5M GEF-8 Funding

Kathmandu. An agreement has been signed between the Ministry of Forests and Environment and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Nepal for the implementation of the project titled 'Human-Tiger Relationship Management in Nepal,' funded by the new Global Environment Facility-8 (GEF-8).

The project, costing a total of US$4,498,318, was signed today in the presence of Forest Minister Madhav Prasad Chaulagai and will be implemented by the Ministry of Forests for five years. WWF will serve as the GEF agency and partner, the Ministry stated. This agreement is a continuation of the financial agreement concluded on January 25, 2026, between Dr. Dhaniram Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, and Dr. Ghanashyam Gurung, Country Representative for WWF Nepal.

The signed agreement is expected to achieve significant milestones in promoting coexistence between humans and tigers by addressing the growing human-wildlife conflict in national parks and buffer zones that serve as tiger habitats in Nepal. The agreement specifies that the project will focus on strengthening habitat management, promoting alternative livelihoods, and reinforcing knowledge-based management systems through four integrated components.

Goal to Develop Models for Human-Wildlife Coexistence

At the event, Dr. Gurung, Country Representative for WWF Nepal, stated that this initiative aims to encourage community-led change and develop sustainable models for human-wildlife coexistence. He added that these models could be expanded and replicated in other tiger-bearing countries in Asia.

"This project is a reflection of a shared vision for coexistence between people and tigers. WWF Nepal is proud to partner with the Ministry of Forests and the Government of Nepal to address increasing human-wildlife conflict," he said.

The Government of Nepal has long played a leading role in human-centric conservation, habitat management, and controlling wildlife poaching and illegal trade, achieving a significant increase in the tiger population. In the context of increasing human-wildlife interaction, this project will promote collaborative and innovative measures to balance development and conservation.

Dr. Rajendra KC, Chief of the Planning, Monitoring, and Coordination Division at the Ministry of Forests, representing the Government of Nepal, stated that the signing of this project agreement reaffirms the Government of Nepal's commitment to sustainable development. "Investing in coexistence is an act that strengthens not only biodiversity conservation but also the resilience and prosperity of local communities," he said. "We express our gratitude to the Global Environment Facility, the Ministry of Finance, and WWF for their continuous support and partnership."

Challenges in Management Alongside Tiger Population Growth

With the recent significant increase in Nepal's tiger population, various challenges related to their management, human-tiger conflict, and habitat have also emerged. Local residents in buffer zones are falling prey to tiger attacks while collecting grass, fodder, or grazing livestock. Furthermore, incidents of tiger poaching, public backlash, and tiger deaths while crossing large or long infrastructure projects have also increased.

Currently, there is a debate regarding the carrying capacity for tigers in Nepal. Some argue that the tiger population has exceeded the environmental capacity, while others demand in-depth studies on the 'carrying capacity' of tigers and the quality of their food sources and habitats.

Bengal tigers are found in 13 countries, including Nepal. At the summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2010, the heads of state and government of these countries committed to doubling the tiger population by 2022. Besides Nepal, Bengal tigers are found in India, China, Bhutan, Russia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Laos.

At that summit, Nepal committed to doubling its tiger population from the 121 recorded in the 2009 census. Currently, Nepal's tiger population has nearly tripled that figure. According to the 2022 census, there are 355 tigers in Nepal. He mentioned that the nationwide tiger census for 2026 is currently underway.

According to the 2022 census, Chitwan National Park has the highest number of tigers at 128, followed by Bardia National Park with 125. Hari Bhadra Acharya, Information Officer and Senior Ecologist at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, provided information that there are 25 tigers in Banke, 41 in Parsa, and 36 in Shuklaphanta.

Nepal has been celebrating Tiger Day since 2067 BS (2010 AD) and conducting a national tiger census every four years. The tiger population in Nepal was 98 in 1995, 109 in 2000, 126 in 2005, 121 in 2009, increased to 198 in 2013, and further rose to 235 in 2018.

Rising Number of Problematic Tigers

With the significant increase in the tiger population, the problem of problematic tigers in national parks, conservation areas, and surrounding regions is also escalating. Tigers that enter human settlements, attack humans or domestic animals, or are found injured are rescued and kept in enclosures.

Currently, there are 18 such problematic tigers across the country. Among them, five are kept in enclosures at the Central Zoo in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur; six in Chitwan National Park; five in Bardia National Park; and one each in Banke and Parsa National Parks. The government spends a significant amount of money annually on the daily diet, care, treatment, and other management of these tigers.