GULARIYA, BARDIYA:  The number of royal Bengal tigers has increased in Nepal in recent years.

According to a representative survey carried out in Bardiya, the number of royal Bengal tigers has gone up.

Though the poaching of the endangered species persists, the survey has shown a satisfying growth in the number of tigers, after the tiger conservation campaign kicked off recently.

A census carried out in 2013 had counted as many as 120 royal Bengal tigers in Chitwan, 50 in Bardiya, 17 in Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve , seven in Parsa and four in Banke.

"After the establishment of Banke National Park, the conservation of tigers in Bardiya National Park has been more effective," said Chief Warden of Bardia National Park Ramesh Thapa.

Earlier, the tigers could be spotted in various forest areas of Tarai and Chure regions. However, in recent times, the big cats have been limited to conservation areas only.

Among the nine species of tigers, Balinese tigers (Panthera tigris balica), Caspian tigers (Panthera tigris virgata), and Javan tigers (Panthera tigris sondaica) have already gone extinct.

Around 4,240 tigers of various species exist in the world.