Nepal’s globally acclaimed tiger conservation efforts received renewed international recognition with the special screening of the BBC documentary Tiger Island: A Hidden World Revealed, which captures never-before-seen tiger behavior in and around Bardiya National Park. Organized by Tourism Info Nepal, a tourism news portal, at Aloft Hotel, Thamel, the event brought together more than 100 participants, including government officials, tourism entrepreneurs, conservationists, wildlife experts, media representatives, and development partners to celebrate Nepal’s remarkable achievements in wildlife conservation.
The documentary offers an extraordinary look into the secretive lives of wild tigers, documenting rare behaviors that have never before been filmed while also highlighting Nepal’s successful community-based conservation model. By showcasing the rich biodiversity of Bardiya National Park and the dedication of local communities, the film reinforces Nepal’s growing reputation as one of the world’s leading examples of wildlife conservation and sustainable eco-tourism.
Distinguished Guests Highlight Nepal’s Conservation Achievements
The screening was formally inaugurated by former Nepal Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Deepak Raj Joshi, in the presence of former Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens Shraddha Shrestha and Rastriya Swatantra Party Member of Parliament Shreedhar Pokhrel. Addressing the gathering, Joshi praised Nepal’s remarkable progress in tiger conservation and emphasized that documentaries of this nature play a vital role in showcasing Nepal’s conservation success to international audiences.
He noted that protecting endangered wildlife while promoting responsible tourism strengthens Nepal’s global image as a premier nature and wildlife destination. The guests also acknowledged the collaborative efforts of conservation organizations, local communities, park authorities, researchers, and tourism stakeholders in helping Nepal achieve one of the world’s most successful tiger recovery stories.
Rare Tiger Behaviors Captured for the First Time
Filmed on a remote river island and surrounding community forests bordering Bardiya National Park, the documentary presents unprecedented footage that challenges long-standing scientific understanding of tiger behavior. Following the screening, an engaging panel discussion moderated by Sajal Pradhan featured experienced Bardiya nature guides Sushila Mahatara and Manju Mahatara, who played a crucial role in tracking tigers throughout the BBC production.
The guides explained that filming began in late 2022, when BBC crews started documenting the lives of tigresses Goma, Mala, and Jugini. Months of patient fieldwork, combined with cutting-edge technology including drones, thermal imaging cameras, night-vision equipment, and extensive wildlife tracking, enabled filmmakers to record behaviors that had never before been observed in wild tigers.
Among the documentary’s most remarkable discoveries are scenes showing tigresses sharing parenting responsibilities and male tigers actively caring for their cubs, behavior previously undocumented in the wild. The documentary also features rare nighttime footage of tigers hunting within Bardiya National Park, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into the lives of one of the world’s most elusive predators.
Community Conservation at the Heart of Nepal’s Success
Panelists emphasized that Nepal’s conservation achievements have been made possible through strong cooperation between local communities, conservation organizations, government agencies, and tourism stakeholders. They highlighted that Nepal’s tiger population has increased dramatically from 121 tigers in 2010 to more than 400 today, making the country one of the few in the world to successfully more than triple its tiger population over the past decade.
At the same time, the discussion acknowledged the growing challenge of balancing wildlife conservation with increasing human-wildlife interactions, stressing the importance of continued community engagement, sustainable tourism, and responsible conservation practices.
Documentary Promotes Conservation and Sustainable Tourism
Speakers noted that internationally recognized documentaries such as Tiger Island: A Hidden World Revealed not only raise awareness about biodiversity conservation but also strengthen Nepal’s position as a world-class destination for wildlife tourism. By showcasing Bardiya National Park’s rich ecosystems and successful conservation initiatives, the documentary is expected to inspire greater international interest in Nepal’s protected areas while encouraging responsible tourism that benefits both local communities and wildlife conservation efforts.
Program Concludes with Appreciation to Conservation Partners
The event concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, allowing participants to engage directly with the panelists and discuss the future of wildlife conservation and eco-tourism in Nepal. Tokens of appreciation were presented to the panelists and distinguished guests in recognition of their contributions to conservation awareness and tourism promotion.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Bishwo Bhandari, Managing Director of Tourism Info Nepal, expressed gratitude to the chief guests, conservation partners, filmmakers, the local communities of Bardiya, and partners including PBS for helping bring Nepal’s inspiring conservation story to audiences around the world. He expressed confidence that the documentary would inspire greater commitment toward protecting Nepal’s unique wildlife heritage while promoting sustainable tourism that supports conservation and benefits future generations.
