Assessment of genetic diversity, population structure, and gene flow of tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) across Nepal's Terai Arc Landscape

Nepal Tiger Genome Project (NTGP), a two year (June 2011- 2013)
research project to build genetic database of wild Bengal tigers of Nepal. NTGP
is a collaborative effort of Center for Molecular Dynamics Nepal, Nepal
Government’s Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, Department of National
Parks and Wildlife Conservation, University of Idaho and Virginia Tech
University. The project introduced latest genetic technology in Nepal for
wildlife conservation and has built Nepal’s first geo-spatial genetic database
of Bengal tigers from throughout the Terai Arc landscape. NTGP was made
possible through generous funding support of the American people through
USAID/Nepal under Fixed Obligation Grant (FOG) no. AID-367-G-11-00001.

Conservation of the Bengal tigers in Nepal is a top priority due to
its dwindling number of species worldwide.
It is important to have a comprehensive understanding of tiger
conservation from a landscape perspective.
In order to develop effective policies and strategies for the conservation
of Bengal tigers, effective census tools need to be developed and deployed. The
conventional tools for conservation are often inadequate and ineffective to
address the problem.

NTGP introduced the latest in non-invasive genetic technology to address
many challenges of tiger conservation in Nepal. Due to its high specificity and
sensitivity, information obtained through a genetic study is more detailed than
conventionally gathered data. It can also be applied to understand landscape
genetics of the species which has great utility for developing overall
conservation policies and strategies on a landscape scale. In addition to introducing new genetic
technology in Nepal, NTGP also enhanced existing laboratory capacity and
fostered an environment of conservation research collaboration in a global
scale.

A comprehensive Bengal tiger genetic database has been created with
detailed field, laboratory and genetic information on confirmed tiger samples.
This elaborate searchable database is designed to be highly secure and
accessible only to the government with CMDN being the caretaker of the
information; this database has a greater utility for wildlife research and
forensic purposes.

NTGP has been able to leave a long lasting impact in the field of
conservation genetics in Nepal. The
project itself has trained 75 local experts, created 43 jobs, brought in
experts from 4 countries, and helped in five other similar researches in
Nepal.