Kathmandu, Oct 22 (IANS) With the natural habitat of the tiger shrinking and food becoming scarce, driving it to the brink of extinction, wildlife experts from 20 countries are gathering here next week to formulate a strategy to save the big cats.
Nepal, along with India, Bhutan and Bangladesh, are among the 14 countries where the tiger is found. Some countries, like the US, China, Myanmar and Indonesia also breed tigers for commercial purposes.

Nepal is the current chair of the Global Tiger Forum (GTF), an inter-governmental body campaigning to promote appropriate programmes and controls to save the remaining four sub-species of tigers.

In 1993, there were eight species worldwide and their total number was estimated to be about 7,700.

Today, the GTF puts the number at about 5,200 with four species having become extinct.

On Oct 26, GTF member countries will be meeting in Kathmandu to discuss how to save the majestic animals from extinction by protecting their natural habitat and food. The meet will also discuss means to prevent the illegal trade in tiger parts.

China remains the biggest consumer of tiger parts, which are believed by some to have medicinal as well as aphrodisiac properties.

The meeting will be followed by a four-day tiger workshop.

International wildlife organisations like the World Wide Fund for Nature, Save the Tiger and the World Bank’s Global Tiger Initiative will also take part in the meet.

Nepal currently has 191 adult tigers. Nepal’s wildlife officials say their target is to increase the number to 250 within a decade.

The Royal Bengal Tiger is the biggest subspecies currently with nearly 2,922 big cats living in Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar.