Fear grows as tiger population doubles
Summary
Fear has grown among residents around Banke National Park after the tiger population rose from 25 in 2022 to 51 this year. While officials call it a conservation success, locals say the increase has deepened the risk of human-wildlife conflict and attacks in nearby settlements.
Key Points
- The tiger population in Banke National Park has more than doubled, rising from 25 in 2022 to 51 in the 2026 National Tiger Survey.
- Residents in the park’s buffer zone say the surge has increased fear because tigers are entering settlements and attacking people and livestock.
- Officials and local leaders say conservation gains must be matched with stronger long-term safety measures, fencing and surveillance.
- The government is spending on compensation and conflict-management programmes, but locals argue prevention remains inadequate.
