The Nepalese government has allocated NPR 30 million for the fiscal year 2026-27 to establish the country’s first Tiger Sanctuary within Chitwan National Park. The project, located in Devnagar on 52 hectares, aims to house 18 to 20 ‘problematic’ tigers that cannot be released back into the wild. According to Hari Bhadra Acharya, a senior ecologist, the initiative combines wildlife conservation with eco-tourism. The goal is to generate revenue to cover operational costs, including feeding and maintenance. The sanctuary will feature three sections: a retention center, a visible viewing area, and a Jeep Safari zone. Visitors can observe the tigers from elevated bridges, towers, or safari vehicles. This investment addresses the surge in Nepal’s tiger population, which nearly tripled to 355 in 2022 from 121 in 2009, leading to increased human-tiger conflicts.
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