Nepal’s tiger conservation has been a massive success, with their numbers tripling from 121 in 2009 to 355 in 2022.
KATHMANDU
Nepal is taking a giant leap in wildlife conservation. The country has announced plans to build its very first tiger sanctuary inside the famous Chitwan National Park. This pioneering project aims to give a safer, spacious home to rescued big cats while boosting local eco-tourism.
Nepal’s tiger conservation has been a massive success, with their numbers tripling from 121 in 2009 to 355 in 2022. However, this booming population has caused a rise in conflicts between humans and tigers. Currently, injured, old, or displaced “problematic” tigers are kept in cramped cages. The new 52-hectare sanctuary in Devnagar will change that, allowing 18 to 20 tigers to roam freely in a natural environment.
The government is transforming an existing rescue centre into this mega-facility. It will feature three specialized sections: a holding centre, an elevated viewing compartment, and a massive Jeep Safari zone.
By combining wildlife protection with tourism, the park will generate its own revenue to cover feeding and medical costs. A detailed project report will be ready soon to kickstart construction on this proud, green initiative.
Snapshot of the tiger haven
- Location: Devnagar, Chitwan National Park
- Size: Around 52 hectares of forest land
- Budget: NPR 30 million allocated for 2026-27
- Timeline: Expected to take two to three years to finish
Specialty of the park
- Free roaming: Tigers will live naturally without cages.
- Caged humans: Visitors will watch the cats from secure, enclosed safari vehicles.
- Sky views: Guests can also observe from elevated canopy bridges and towers.
- No wild captures: The sanctuary will only house tigers that cannot survive in the wild.