Tigers inhabit diverse landscapes across their range, including high mountain ecosystems where their presence frequently intersects with that of typical Himalayan fauna. Notably, camera trap imagery has documented wild tigers at altitudes exceeding 3,600 meters. The conservation of High-Altitude Tiger (HAT) habitats necessitates a synchronized and meticulously planned approach, culminating in a distinctive program dedicated to safeguarding these critical areas.

The Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Program (ITHCP), spearheaded by IUCN-KfW, has provided support to the Global Tiger Forum (GTF) in collaboration with governments of range countries, including Bhutan, India, and Nepal, alongside in-country partners such as the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), Bhutan Tiger Centre (BTC), and WWF. Since its inception, the program has achieved significant milestones, including the delineation of essential HAT habitats, formulation of comprehensive landscape-scale action plans, and the implementation of specialized conservation projects across the aforementioned nations. These efforts have been coordinated by both national and provincial/state governments.

For instance, the Indian state of Sikkim has introduced conservation-aligned livelihood initiatives, such as branding local produce with conservation themes and establishing benefit-sharing mechanisms between conservation efforts and the community. Additionally, measures to prevent crop depredation by wild herbivores and address Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) have been implemented. Advanced technologies have been deployed for solid waste management at dumping sites near protected areas, complemented by initiatives promoting community stewardship and income generation, eco-sensitive tourism in fragile zones, and state-of-the-art nature interpretation facilities. Furthermore, capacity-building programs have been conducted to train frontline staff and community champions for tiger conservation and monitoring. Collaboration with security agencies has also been facilitated to enhance conservation efforts along international borders. Similarly, Bhutan and Nepal have initiated programs focused on conserving HAT habitats and integrating high-altitude conservation strategies into various sectors. The program has fostered continuous sharing of best practices and transboundary cooperation to address site-specific challenges while promoting mutual learning and enhanced collaboration.