Mitigating Human-Tiger Conflict: An Assessment of Compensation Payments and Tiger Removals in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

A significant increase of 976% in annual compensation payments for human-tiger conflict was observed in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, from 2007 to 2014. The study, which analyzed data from government offices and interviews with stakeholders (n=83 questionnaires, n=13 key informants), found that most payments (65%) were for human killings, while livestock depredations accounted for 29.3%. On average, compensations covered 80.7% of medical expenses and 61.7% of livestock losses, with goats being the most affected livestock. Additionally, 15 tigers—mostly healthy adults—were removed due to conflicts, with a majority killed or dying post-removal, highlighting the severe impact of tiger removals. The research suggests that faster compensation disbursement, insurance schemes in buffer zones, improved management of live-removed tigers (including radio-tracking), and targeted awareness programs could enhance community engagement and mitigate conflict more effectively.

Dhungana, R., Savini, T., Karki, J. B., & Bumrungsri, S. (2016). Mitigating Human-Tiger Conflict: An Assessment of Compensation Payments and Tiger Removals in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Tropical Conservation Science, 9(2), 776–787. https://doi.org/10.1177/194008291600900213