The tiger census at Shuklaphanta National Park in Kanchanpur commenced today, employing camera-trapping technology for monitoring and counting the tiger population. Cameras have been strategically installed in key jungle areas to facilitate this effort.
Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, officially initiated the census by activating one of the cameras. During the event, Senior Conservation Officer Chandra Shekhar Chaudhary provided insights into the park’s activities and conservation efforts.
According to Officer Chaudhary, the tiger population in the park has been increasing annually. The previous year’s census recorded 44 tigers within the park, up from 38 in 2021.
The park’s annual statistics for the fiscal year 2078/79 revealed the presence of 17 rhinoceroses, 2,313 swamp deer, and 82 blue bulls. The park is also home to approximately 56 species of reptiles, 15 species of amphibians, 88 species of fish, 35 species of butterflies, and 450 bird species.
Spanning 305 square kilometers, Shuklaphanta National Park is renowned for its large herds of swamp deer and the rare Bengal tiger. It also features a vast grassland area covering approximately 54 square kilometers. While the park holds significant potential for eco-tourism and offers opportunities to support local livelihoods, inadequate infrastructure and limited promotion have hindered its ability to attract tourists to its full capacity.
Minister Shahi also inaugurated a newly constructed two-story building in Majhgaon within the park premises.
The ongoing tiger census and infrastructure developments are part of efforts to enhance conservation initiatives and promote eco-tourism in the region.