Tiger count in Nepal up by 63%: Survey

The wild tiger count in Nepal has reportedly gone up by 63 percent according to a new government survey.

The survey accessed the Bengal tiger population across a 600-mile stretch in Nepal and India and found that the count went to 198 since 2009 all of Nepal's national parks, BBC reports.

According to the report, South Asian governments have committed to doubling tiger populations by 2022, but the animals continue to face threats from poaching and habitat loss as there are thought to be fewer than 2,000 tigers left worldwide, with 60 percent of them in India.

Nepalese officials called the findings as a 'milestone' in the bid to double the number of wild tigers by 2022.

Director-general of Nepal's Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Megh Bahadur Pandey said that Tigers are a part of Nepal's natural wealth and they are committed to ensuring these magnificent wild cats have the prey, protection and space to thrive.

The receding tiger population is attribution to the widespread deforestation, the shrinking of their habitat and loss of prey base, as well as illegal poaching and wildlife trade.

However, Nepalese officials have increased anti-poaching efforts in a bid to curb the illegal wildlife trade, aimed at strengthening protection for the species, the report added.