Kathmandu, April 8:National Park and Wild Life Conservation Department jointly with King Mahendra Trust for Natural Conservation with support from the World Wild Life Fund has begun counting the rhinoceros in the Royal chitwan National park from April 2.

Nepalese scientists and technicians are involved in this census of rhinos in the Royal Chitwan National Park, which aims at monitoring the population and habitat of the rhinos.

The census will classify the number on the basis of the description of horn, age and sex. An earlier counting held in the year 1994 had placed the number of rhinos in Chitwan National park at 466. Such counting is to take place every five years from now on, according to a press release from WWF.

MeanwhileRSS adds: in Mahendranagar, a skill development programme launched under the Royal Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, park and people programme has contributed to effectively conservation of the wildlife reserve and nature conservation.

The programme was designed mainly for the people residing on the edge of the conservation area and a large number of local people have also benefited from the 14 productive loan management programmes introduced for preservation bio-diversity, according to the programme officer Sajani Shrestha.

A many as 224 skill development trainings were held for the people of core area in 1999 to the benefit of some 138 women and 125 men. Some 358 groups have made saving deposit to the tune of Rs. 6191,000 so far, it is learnt.

Similarly, embankments have been built in various parts of Kanchanpur district with the help of the local users’ group under the programme. Some 345 families are to expected to benefit from it.

Four underground drills for irrigation have also been carried out at a cost of Rs. 1,775,000 under the programme.

Some 115 students were taken on a tour to familiarise them with its bio-diversity.

Besides, some 35 local consumers were given training leadership development.