Nepal seeks US$43mln to double tigers in 12 years
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Nepal has demanded 43 million U. S. dollars in support from donor communities to make its commitment to double the number of tigers by 2022 a success story, local media reported on Monday.
Presenting its National Tiger Recovery Program in Bali, Indonesia, the government said this amount is in addition to the budget for conservation of the endangered big cat.
"Each year Nepal government spends about 30 million dollars on conservation work, but this amount is insufficient. So, if we really want to conserve tigers -- donor communities should commit continuous support of about 3.5 million dollars each year for the next 12 years," Megh Bahadur Pandey, Deputy Director General, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation was quoted by THT Online as saying.
The 13 tiger range countries had committed a year ago to double the number of tigers by 2022.
High level officials from the 13 tiger range countries met in Bali last week to draft a common document that will be presented at the meeting of the heads of state of 13 tiger range countries in Petersburg of Russia in September.
Delegates reached consensus on establishing a basket fund for conservation of tiger in the name -- Tiger Conservation Trust Fund.
"Most of the countries with tigers are least developed or developing countries, so they need financial support to conserve the big cat. "Probably, the donor community will work out the financial mechanism and come up with some concrete ideas in September," said Ghanashyam Gurung, Conservation Director, World Wildlife Fund, Nepal.
World Wildlife Fund, World Bank and Global Tiger Forum are in the race to be the authoritative body for channeling the fund. Nepal boasts 121 adult breeding tigers. The total global population of tigers has decreased from 100,000 to 3,200 in the last century.
Tiger range countries have demanded commitment fund for conservation from the donor community.
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