Preparations underway for tiger census in Shuklaphanta national park

Dhangadhi: Shuklaphanta National Park is preparing for a tiger census as part of a nationwide initiative led by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. The park office has established three census ‘complexes,’ covering five national parks and adjacent areas outside park boundaries.

Currently, tiger censuses are being conducted in the Chitwan-Parsa Complex and Bardiya and Banke National Parks. Shuklaphanta, part of the third complex, will commence its census once the preceding complexes are completed, said Purushottam Wagle, information officer of the park.

“The park office’s manpower has been prepared, and all necessary arrangements for the tiger census are in place,” Wagle stated. “The department has provided training, and the census will begin here after completion of the first and second complexes and the arrival of cameras.”

Recent monitoring indicates a growing tiger population in Shuklaphanta National Park. While the national census conducted in 2022 recorded 36 tigers, internal monitoring this year has identified 43 tigers.

“The park office conducts annual tiger supervision,” Wagle said. “Although the park is relatively small, the density of prey species is sufficient, contributing to the increase in tiger numbers.” According to him, prey species density in the park is 146 per square kilometer.

Shuklaphanta National Park, renowned for its wildlife and rare plant species, spans an area of 305 square kilometers.