KATHMANDU, JULY 29

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said Nepal had succeeded in establishing its identity as the leading country in the world in conservation of tiger and other rare wild animal species.

In a message given on the occasion of the Global Tiger Day being observed today, PM Dahal congratulated all for achieving the target of doubling the number of tigers by 2022 prior to the set deadline.

Nepal had vowed to double the population of tigers by 2022. It had expressed its commitment in the Tiger Summit attended by the heads of state and government of 13 countries in Saint Petersburg, Russia in 2010. As per the tiger census carried out in 2022, the numberof tigers had reached 355 in Nepal. Thus, Nepal succeeded in its efforts to increase the number of wild cats staggeringly prior to the stipulated time.

On the occasion, PM Dahal extended gratitude to the Ministry of Forest and Environment, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Department of For-est and Soil Conservation, Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, national and international conservation stakeholders, employees and local communities for the coordinated efforts in fulfilling the commitment made to the international community prior to the deadline.

'While the number of tiger isgrowing, the increasing number of human-tiger conflict has been a cause of concern,' PM Dahal said in the message. He emphasised concerted efforts for effective conservation of protected areas for tiger.

He also stressed the need to ensure the availability of prey species for tiger and make efforts for improvement of their habitat in a bidto maintain co-existence between human and tiger. Furthermore, he viewed that the there should be improvement in the livelihood of local communities.

'Additional research and study are required to address the challenges in conservation and management of tiger. Similarly, capacity building of frontline employeesand coordination among the concerned government, non-government and international partner organisations are crucial,' he said.

PM Dahal said decision was taken to mobilise Rs 1 billion for enforcement of 'PM Tiger Conservation and Livelihood Programme' which had aimed to conduct public awareness and alternative livelihood programmes for people living near the tiger habitat. He expressed happiness over Nepal's achievement in its commitment made to the international community in terms of biodiversity conservation.

'Today is the day that will inspire all for conservation of biodiversity, including tiger,' PM Dahal said. He also extended best wishes to all Nepali brothers and sisters and government officials working in the sector of tiger conservation.

A version of this article appears in the print on July 30, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.