Tiger Number Almost Doubles in Parsa National Park Within Four Years, CATS Certification Begins

With the rise in the number of Bengal tigers in Parsa National Park, the process of Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CATS) certification has been initiated to align conservation management with international standards.

In 2022, the park recorded 41 adult tigers. By the 2026 census, the number had increased to 71. To transform this achievement into long-term, quality management, the CATS process has been advanced.

A CATS workshop was organized in Parsa National Park by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. Participants included senior ecologist Haribhadra Acharya, Chief Conservation Officer Ramchandra Khatriwoda, ZSL Nepal, the Buffer Zone Management Committee, security agencies, park staff, user committees, and local stakeholders.

According to Chief Conservation Officer Khatriwoda, the workshop discussed initial preparations, self-assessment, management improvements, evidence collection, and stakeholder coordination.

Senior ecologist Acharya emphasized that increasing tiger numbers alone is not sufficient; continuous improvement in habitat, prey base, security, and overall management quality is essential to sustain the population. He noted that CA|TS evaluates not only tiger numbers but also the overall management system against international standards, making this a significant opportunity for Parsa.

Khatriwoda highlighted that while the rise from 41 to 71 tigers between 2022 and 2026 is a major achievement, the next challenge is ensuring the safety of both tigers and local communities. He stressed the need to create an environment where communities directly benefit from conservation.

He added that linking the park’s “Tiger Friend Campaign” with the CATS process could make human–tiger coexistence, community safety, awareness, and participation more effective.

Stakeholders at the workshop emphasized that CATS should not be seen merely as a certification process but as a joint campaign involving the park, buffer zone, security agencies, conservation partners, and local communities.

CATS will assess not only tiger numbers but also habitat, prey base, security, management, scientific monitoring, community participation, human–tiger conflict, tourism, and the long-term status of tigers.

The process will now move forward with registration, self-assessment, improvement planning, compliance documentation, national review, independent evaluation, and international decision-making. According to Chief Conservation Officer Khatriwoda, priority will be given to habitat and prey conservation, anti-poaching measures, smart patrolling, human–tiger conflict management, scientific monitoring, and community involvement.

As tiger numbers continue to rise, the CATS certification process is expected to make Parsa National Park’s conservation management more scientific, systematic, and internationally aligned. Success in conservation will depend not only on obtaining certification but also on ensuring tiger safety, healthy forests, secure communities, and active local participation in conservation. (RSS)