Nepal: increased numbers of tigers mean more risks to those living nearby

Nepal: increased numbers of tigers mean more risks to those living nearby

In rural areas of Nepal, families living near protected forests face growing danger as tiger populations increase. Pushpa Tamang, a survivor of a brutal tiger attack in 2019, lives with severe disabilities and ongoing medical needs which her family cannot afford. Like others in neighbouring districts, her household struggles under heavy debt from treatment costs while navigating slow and inadequate government relief systems. Although Nepal has been praised internationally for its conservation efforts which have successfully expanded tiger numbers, local communities bear the consequences through injury, trauma, and financial hardship. Many rely on the forests for daily survival, increasing their exposure to risk. While some local authorities offer limited support, gaps remain significant. The situation highlights a deep tension between conservation success and human vulnerability.