KANCHANPUR: Number of the world's rare wildlife, Bengal tiger, has increased at the Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve.

The rise in the population of Bengal tigers in the Reserve over the past few years has been attributed to the availability of adequate food, shelter and establishment and mobilisation of counter-poaching units.

Shuklaphanta Conservation Programme Officer of National Nature Conservation Trust, Anil Prasain, said that the preservation of dense forest as its habitat in and around the Reserve has significantly contributed to conservation of tigers.

He further shared that a team of more than 20 technical enumerators counted 15 adult Bengal tigers including six females in the Reserve recently.

The two-month census was carried out from mid January to mid February, he added.

"Compared to the previous year, the number of cubs also increased this year," Conservation Officer Prasain added.

According to the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029, the Bengal tiger is classified as one of the conserved wildlife in the Annex 1.

The Reserve stretching over 305 square km is the main habitat of Bengal tigers in Nepal.

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