Gobinda Prasad Pokharel
When we think of diplomacy we usually picture suits, handshakes and conference rooms. But in Nepal, diplomacy has stripes.
I recently came across an article on Diplomat Nepal titled ‘The Roar of Nepal’s Tiger Diplomacy’. I couldn’t stop thinking about it. We often hear doom and gloom stories about endangered species, but Nepal is writing a different narrative one where conservation isn’t just about saving animals. It’s about national pride, international relations and economic survival.
In 2010, the situation was dire. During the Global Tiger Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, there were only about 121 Royal Bengal tigers left in Nepal. Nepal made a bold pledge to double that number within a decade. Fast forward to 2022 the numbers are staggering. Nepal is now home to 355 tigers—nearly tripling the population.
How did they do it ? it was a massive, coordinated effort.
Expansion: Creating Banke National Park and expanding Parsa National Park to secure core breeding habitats.
Strict Protection: Mobilizing the Nepali Army and Community-based Anti-poaching Units (CBAPUs) to patrol the forests.
Science: Restoring grasslands and waterholes to ensure the tigers had prey and water.
What is ‘Tiger Diplomacy’ ?
My article urged on the concept of where there are tigers, there are tourists.
In Nepal, the tiger isn’t seen just as a wild predator, it is an economic asset. The thriving tiger population in places like Chitwan and Bardiya attracts thousands of tourists, which in turn supports local livelihoods. When the local community sees that the animal brings prosperity, they become its fiercest protectors.
Artilce on the Diplomat Nepal
But there is a literal diplomatic angle emerging too. With the population booming, experts are discussing the idea of gifting ‘surplus’ tigers to other nations as a gesture of goodwill. This could strengthen diplomatic ties, bolster conservation partnerships, and share Nepal’s technical expertise with the world.
The Challenge of Success
As the nature is all about balance. The success has raised a difficult question: What happens when the forests get too full?
As the tiger population grows, so does the risk of human-wildlife conflict. While the data shows that fatalities have actually dropped (thanks to better education and precautions), the fear is real. The article points out that Nepal is now shifting its focus from just ‘saving’ tigers to learning how to coexist with them.
Strategies like managing biological corridors (so tigers can migrate safely) and identifying ‘conflict tigers’ (usually old or injured ones) early are becoming the new priority.
Final thoughts
Nepal has become the first country to gain worldwide recognition for such a massive conservation win. It proves that when political will meets community effort, we can reverse the damage done to our planet. The next time you hear a roar in the jungle, remember: it’s not just a sound. It’s a statement of success.
Read the full story I have written for the Diplomat Nepal in November issue of 2025 here: The Roar of Nepal’s Tiger Diplomacy