Kanchan Thapa on Saving the Striped: Nepal’s Tiger Conservation Achievements

#Ep.056 World Tiger Day 2022 was a special day for Nepal. The country announced that it had raised its tiger population to a solid 355, making it the frontrunner in tiger conservation in the world. Conservationists and big-cat enthusiasts worldwide were enthralled as the endangered feline population tripled from when it was last rounded up in 2009. In this episode, PEI colleague Dheeraj Gurung sits with Kanchan Thapa to celebrate Nepal's remarkable achievements in tiger conservation. They delve into the past anxiety surrounding the depleting tiger population and explore the conservation efforts that turned the tables, including the Terai Arc Landscape. They also discuss the challenges ahead as the wildcats grow in limited terrains. Kanchan Thapa is an environmentalist turned wildlife biologist. He is the Head of Wildlife Programs at WWF Nepal. His contributions to Nepal’s tiger conservation efforts have been crucial and include designing Nepal’s first tiger monitoring protocol in 2008 and undertaking the country’s first non-invasive genetic survey of tiger populations. If you liked the episode, hear more from us through our free newsletter services, PEI Substack: Of Policies and Politics, and click here to support us on Patreon!!