Kathmandu, Apr. 27: The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) in collaboration with King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC) has begun the census of the Greater one horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in and around Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP) with financial support of WWF Nepal Program and (GEF/UNDP from tomorrow, this is stated in a press release issued by DNPWC, today, National Park.
A Central Coordination Committee consisting of the representatives of WWF Nepal Programme, KMTNC and DNPWC has been formed for the census under the chairmanship of Dr. Tirtha Man Maskey, Director General, DNPWC. The field-level task force headed by Gopal P Upadhyay, Chief Warden, RCNP, consists of Narayan Poudel, Senior Ecologist (DNPWC), Conservation Officer Mahendra K. Shrestha (DNPWC), Ecologist Narendra B. Pradhan (DNPWC), Dr. Shanta R Jnawali (Director, BCP/KMTNC), Dr. Mukesh K Chalise (Research Officer, RTCPA/DNPWC) Office-in-Charge Top B. Khatri (NCRTC), Dr. Kamal Gaire (DNPWC), Bal Krishna Giri (DNPWC), and Senior Program Officer Anil Manandhar of WWF Nepal Programme, the press release further stated.
The task force is supported by wardens, rangers and technicians of DNPWC and KMTNC. In addition, 20 domesticated elephants are being used with the help of 60 elephant staff for the operation. “The census is being carried out to find out th estatus of rhino population for better management of the endangered species in future” says. Narayan Poudel about the initiation. He also adds that the count would indicate habitat condition, age groups and sex ratio of this wildlife in Chitwan. Ukesh Raj Bhuju, Conservation Program Director of WWF Nepal programme opines: “Greater one-horned rhinoceros is an indicator species of the area. The outcome of the census will enable us to plan about future translocation programs.”
The Count is expected to continue for the next 4-5 weeks. Established in 1973, RCNP (932 sq.km.) consists of a diversity of ecosystems, and is the prime habitat for the second largest rhino population in the world. Rhinoceros also occur in the community and buffer zone forests, as well as the adjoining forest areas. The “Rhino Count ’94” jointly conducted by DNPWC, WWF and Resources Nepal estimated 446-466 with an annual growth rate of 3.7 per cent. The recently concluded rhino count in Royal Bardia National Park has estimated 67 individuals in the park.