Experts from 14 countries where the tiger is found will jointly discuss initiatives to control the dwindling population of tigers at the Global Tiger Forum, which is scheduled to be held on Oct. 25-30 in Kathmandu.

According to Thursday's The Kathmandu Post, besides tiger experts, conservationists and representatives from both national and international organizations, and members from donor agencies will take part in the regional workshop, officials at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation said.

Shiv Raj Bhatt, an official at the department said that the upcoming regional forum work focus primarily on strengthening regional cooperation among the countries in an effort to curb the illegal trade in tiger parts and their derivatives in the international black market.

"The forum will seek a higher level of political commitment to deal with the illegal trade and habitat encroachment of tigers which till date, is lacking," Bhatt said.

The tiger population has significantly decreased in the last four decades due to the international illegal trade in tiger parts as well as habitat disturbance in all the 14 countries.

The tiger population has dropped from an estimated 40,000 some 40 years ago to 4,000 today.