Nepal proves human, tiger co-existence possible with few landscape changes

A new study has revealed human and tiger co-existence was possible, if a few landscape changes were made.

Conservation scientist Neil Carter, who has been studying the interactions between humans and tigers in Nepal's Chitwan National Park, said when Nepalese villagers were empowered to make some local land management decisions, it benefited both villagers and tigers.

Carter showed that in areas near the national park border, where local people were permitted to harvest some of the natural resources, the amount of tigers' habitat increased over the years.

While the places within the park, where local resource harvests are prohibited, the amount of highly suitable habitat for tigers declined, due to illegal harvests.

The researchers showed that tigers have a distinct preference for grasslands near water, because it attracts animals for tigers to prey on, the grasses conceal them while they hunt, and the connected patches of habitat accommodate them properly.

In July 2013, the Nepalese government announced the tiger population in the nation had jumped by 63 percent in four years, with an estimated 198 tigers now living in and around Chitwan National Park.

The government also cited habitat improvements and a decline in poaching as possible reasons for the apparent population increase.