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The nationwide tiger census, conducted once every four years, officially commenced today. 

The launch was marked by a formal inaugural program held in Sauraha, Chitwan.

The census is being led by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) under the Ministry of Forests and Environment, in coordination with the Department of Forests and Land Conservation. The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Nepal, and the Geological Society of Nepal are providing technical and logistical support.

The tiger count is being carried out with the assistance of the Nepal Army, Buffer Zone and Community Forest Users’ Committees, it is said. 

According to the DNPWC, the census is expected to be completed within two and a half to three months, with the nationwide mobilization of 25 technical personnel.

DNPWC Director General Buddi Sagar Paudel stated that 1,100 advanced camera traps are being installed across tiger habitats. 

The tiger population will be estimated through the analysis of photographic captures of the species.

An estimated budget of approximately Rs 30 million is expected to cover the cost of the census, covering the mobilization of human resources, management of memory cards, tents, sleeping bags, and other logistical requirements.

The camera traps being used for the census were procured earlier, with each purchased at an around Rs 35,000.

Nepal has started counting the tiger population systematically using automated camera trap since 2009. 

In 2009, there were 121 tigers in Nepal. 

Counting of tigers has been carried out every four years since 2009. 

As per the Tiger Conservation Action Plan, the tiger census was already conducted in 2013, 2018 and 2022. Now, the counting of tigers is being conducted for 2026. 

Nepal has started observing Tiger Day since 2067 BS and counting of tiger population is carried out nation-wide every four years.

The population of tigers was 98 in 1995, 109 in 2000, 126 in 2005, 121 in 2009, 198 in 2013 and 235 in 2018.

To reduce the human-tiger conflict, he suggested providing alternative means of livelihood to the communities living on the fringes of the forests so that they will not have to go into the forests for livelihood and to change the attitude and behavior of the locals towards the wildlife.

18 problematic tigers caged throughout the country

The issue of problematic tigers is also rising in national parks, conservation areas and surrounding regions with a significant increase in the number of tigers.

In particular, tigers that have entered human settlements, attacked humans and domestic animals, or have been found injured are being rescued and kept in enclosures.

Currently, there are 18 troublesome tigers across the country. 

Among them, five are kept in cages at the central zoo in Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, seven in Chitwan National Park, four in Bardia National Park, and one each in Banke and Parsa National Parks. 

The government has been spending a large amount annually on the daily feeding, care, treatment, and other management of such tigers.

According to the latest figures in 2025, the number of tigers in the world has increased to 5,357. 

Among them, the highest number is in India with 3,167, followed by Russia with 750, Indonesia with 400, Nepal with 355, Thailand with 189, Bhutan with 151, Malaysia with 150, Bangladesh with 146, Myanmar with 22, China with 20, Vietnam with five, and Laos with two tigers.

The final list of candidates for the election to be held under the 11th National Congress of the CPN-UML has been published. 

As per the name list of the candidates published by the Central Election Commission of the party, Chairperson KP Sharma Oli and senior Vice-President Ishwor Pokharel are contesting for the post of Chairperson. 

Similarly, 11 candidates have filed their candidacies for five posts of Vice Chairperson. 

Similarly, Shankar Pokhrel and Surendra Pandey have registered their nominations for the post of General Secretary. 

Likewise, seven people have registered their candidacies for the post of Deputy General Secretary as well as 20 candidacies for nine Secretaries. 

The Commission has made preparations to hold voting from 4 pm today. 

There are 2,262 representatives in the National Congress.

Two alleged gunmen who attacked a Hanukkah event at Sydney's Bondi Beach had travelled to the Philippines before the assault which killed 15 people and appeared to be inspired by Islamic State, police said on Tuesday, Reuters reported. 

The attack on Sunday was Australia's worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years, and is being investigated as an act of terrorism targeting the Jewish community.

The death toll stands at 16 including one of the alleged gunmen, identified by police as Sajid Akram, 50, who was shot by police. The man's 24-year-old son and alleged accomplice, identified by local media as Naveed Akram, was in critical condition in hospital after also being shot, according to Reuters. 

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 1, 700 per tola in the domestic market on Tuesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 259, 000 per tola today.  It was traded at Rs 260, 700 per tola on Monday.

The price of silver, however, has increased by Rs 15 and is being traded at Rs 3, 885 per tola.

Scotland manager Steve Clarke has urged supporters to avoid plunging into debt to attend next year's FIFA World Cup in North America, warning of steep travel and ticket costs, Reuters reported. 

Last week, Football Supporters Europe (FSE) called on FIFA to immediately halt sales of national team allocations, accusing the governing body of imposing "extortionate" ticket prices that risk shutting ordinary fans out of the tournament.

Ticket prices have jumped five-fold from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, according to FSE, according to Reuters. 

Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi struck late to salvage a point for his side in a 4-4 draw with Manchester United on Monday, capping a Premier League thriller that swung wildly from start to finish, Reuters reported. 

Ruben Amorim's men squandered the chance to move level with fourth-place Chelsea in the standings, and instead are sixth on 26 points. Bournemouth are 13th on 21 points.

United looked set for victory after Bruno Fernandes, with a stunning freekick, and Matheus Cunha struck two minutes apart in the second half to make it 4-3, according to Reuters. 

Nepal's travel payment increased 11.8 percent to Rs 75.74 billion, including Rs 48.26 billion for education in the first four months of the current fiscal year 2082/83 BS. 

As per the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation of Nepal released on Monday by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) based on four months ending mid-November, such income was Rs 26.90 billion in the same period of the previous year. 

In the same period of the previous year, travel payment was Rs 67.75 billion including Rs 37.77 billion for education.

The central bank stated that travel income increased 0.9 percent to Rs 27.15 billion in the review period. 

Net services income remained at a deficit of Rs 32.91 billion during the review period. Such income had a deficit of Rs 22.37 billion in the same period of the previous year, according to the central bank.

Likewise, the remittance inflows increased 31.4 percent to Rs 687.13 billion in the four months of current fiscal year compared to an increase of 9.4 percent in the same period of the previous year. 

During mid-October to mid-November (Kartik month), remittance inflows stood at Rs 133.82 billion. 

In the same period of the previous year, such inflows were Rs 114.31 billion, the report on the Current Macroeconomic and Financial Situation stated.

The representatives of the 11th National Congress of the CPN-UML are going to vote today to elect the new leadership of the party.  

According to the Chairman of UML Central Election Commission Dr Bijaya Subba, the voting will take place this afternoon. 

It is said that the voting will be conducted by electronic voting machines. 

A total of 80 electronic voting machines have been arranged for the voting purpose.  

Managing Director of Ram Laxman Innovation Pvt. Ltd, Laxman Rimal, said that entry of the candidates' name list is going on from the company.

“We are making efforts to complete our part in time and handover to the UML Central Election Commission," Rimal shared.

He also hinted at some delay in the voting time since it is time consuming to enter the names of the candidates given the large number of the candidates.   

Aspirant candidates on Monday registered their nominations for the post of office-bearers and central committee members and the final name list of the voters was released on Monday itself. 

The UML's 11th National Congress will elect a 301-member new central committee.

As per the schedule, the voting will be held at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu this afternoon. 

Chairperson KP Sharma Oli and Senior Vice Chairperson Ishwor Pokharel are vying for the top post in the UML.