Photographing Nepal’s wildlife for the world

Noted Nepali conservation photographer Om Prakash Yadav‘s dramatic portrait of a tiger wanting straight on the digicam has been chosen for the quilt of the June 2026 version of BBC Wildlife Magazine within the UK.

Yadav is a wildlife and conservation photographer whose work focuses on endangered species, pure habitats, and the connection between folks and the surroundings. Over the years, he has documented wildlife throughout Nepal’s nationwide parks, wetlands, grasslands, forests and mountain landscapes, working on the intersection of pictures, conservation, schooling, and storytelling.

The {photograph} of the Royal Bengal Tiger was taken in Meghauli just outside Chitwan National Park in November final 12 months and was chosen for ‘the tiger’s direct eye contact, robust element, and pure forest setting’.

“Tigers are difficult to spot, but I came upon this one during an unexpected forest encounter in the buffer zone,” Yadav remembers. “It appeared quietly and briefly, creating only a short window to photograph the animal before it disappeared back into the undergrowth. ”

He added: “The moment was not a dramatic chase or planned shoot, but a reminder of how unpredictable and humbling wildlife photography can be. Meaningful nature photographs come from patience, field knowledge, and respect for the natural rhythm of the forest rather than aggressive pursuit.”

The June 2026 situation of BBC Wildlife Magazine options the BBC collection Tiger Island, and the editorial group chosen Yadav’s picture for the quilt after reviewing a curated number of tiger images from Nepal.

Yadav sees the quilt slection as greater than only a private milestone, however a possibility for Nepal’s wildlife and guarded areas to obtain wider worldwide consideration via pictures.

Interestingly, Yadav’s profession began out neither as a conservationist nor a photographer. He initially labored in data know-how, graphic design, and digital media, however he took images as a passion that he pursued throughout his travels or free time.

Over time, repeated visits to Nepal’s nationwide parks and pure landscapes progressively shifted his focus to concentrate on wildlife and conservation pictures. Encounters with birds, mammals, reptiles, and forest ecosystems led him to spend extra time within the area documenting species, and observing animal behaviour reasonably than merely photographing landscapes or journey scenes.

“For me photography became a way to communicate environmental stories and create awareness about conservation issues in Nepal,” Yadav informed us from Manang final week, whereas photographing Himalayan birds. Eventually, he moved into biodiversity schooling outreach, conducting workshops, and conservation-oriented visible storytelling.

“Wildlife photography is built far more on patience, observation, and understanding animal behaviour than on equipment and technique alone,” mentioned Yadav, mentioning that wild tigers ware notoriously troublesome to {photograph} as a result of it requires lengthy hours within the area, repeated visits to the identical habitats, and acceptance that many days could cross with none significant encounters. 

“Weather, light, terrain, and the movement patterns of animals all influence the outcome, and often the most important part of wildlife photography is learning when not to disturb the environment,” he mentioned.

Tiger pictures specifically calls for self-discipline and respect for the animal and information of its behaviour, and most encounters are transient and unpredictable. Photographers could spend weeks looking forests and riverbeds for indicators resembling pugmarks, alarm calls, or scent markings, solely to have a couple of seconds to react when a tiger lastly seems.

For Om Prakash Yadav, moral observe is equally necessary. Maintaining distance, avoiding disturbance, and prioritising the welfare of the animal at all times come earlier than getting {a photograph}. Besides tigers, Yadav has photographed lots of Nepal’s lesser-known wildlife species, together with birds, reptiles, wetland animals, and mammals from the nation’s numerous ecosystems.

In 2010, 12 tiger vary international locations met in St Petersburg, pledging to double their tiger populations in ten years. Nepal didn’t simply double its numbers, however greater than tripled them by 2026 — the one nation to take action. 

He added: “Nepal holds enormous potential for wildlife storytelling and conservation communication at an international level. It is not just about saving iconic species for the future but also to the wider ecosystems that support them. This encourages people to protect nature and this in turn ensures human livelihoods.”

Equipment Om Yadav makes use of:

Nikon Z9 Nikon D810 

For wildlife

Nikkor 180-600mm Z

Nikkor 80-400mm VRII

For journey and panorama;

Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S

Nikkor 20mm f/1.8 G

Nikkor 16mm f/2.8 D