Alarmed by the growing number of rhino poaching, the people, security forces, the Maoists and administration are coming together to launch concerted efforts aimed at conservation of the rare species.

After a rhino carcass was discovered in Shaktikhor of Chitwan a few days ago taking the number of killed rhinos to 12 in the last six months, the alarm bells have started ringing.

People of Chitwan, students, youths, political parties, security forces and administration are preparing to make resolute efforts for rhino conservation.

Reports say that in Sauraha of Chitwan, an emergency interaction was organised at the behest of central regional administrator Shankar Pandey. At the meeting, regional police chief, divisional chief of Nepali Army and Chief District Officers of Chitwan, Makwanpur, Bara and Parsa agreed to launch a unified program to save rhinos.

Likewise, in Bharatpur, youths and school students organised a rally calling for rhino conservation. The rally was led by youth wing of the Unified Marxist Leninist (UML). “The administration should immediately get its act together to save rhinos. We are willing to provide any kind of help,” said Kamal Raj Pathak, district president of Democratic National Youth Federation.

Meanwhile, in Udayapur Community Forest in Shaktikhor where the latest rhino carcass was discovered, the Maoist guerrillas, forest users and district forest office have agreed to launch joint patrolling in the area to nab the poachers.

In another development, the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation has proposed for additional resources of Rs 15 million from NGOs and INGOs to strengthen conservation efforts.

The latest census of rhino in Chitwan had put its number at 372. Around 12 rhino have already been killed by poachers in last six months alone.