Posted on May, 21 2007
As per the goals and commitments outlined in the freshly revised Rhino Action Plan (2006-2011), the Government of Nepal has stepped up efforts to revitalize its research on rhinos in Bardia National Park. A week long ‘Rhino Status Monitoring’ has commenced from 18 May which aims to acquire fresh data on the numbers, distribution, sex ratio and habitat status of the rhinos in Bardia. WWF provided technical and financial assistance for the monitoring programme.
As per the goals and commitments outlined in the freshly revised Rhino Action Plan (2006-2011), the Government of Nepal has stepped up efforts to revitalize its research on rhinos in Bardia National Park. A week long ‘Rhino Status Monitoring’ has commenced from 18 May which aims to acquire fresh data on the numbers, distribution, sex ratio and habitat status of the rhinos in Bardia. This also comes as the first major effort in the post conflict scenario in Nepal to assess the effect of poaching on rhinos. The last rhino count (the only) in Bardia dates back to 2000 which revealed the presence of 67 individuals. Since then, rhino research here has suffered severe setbacks due to the decade long armed conflict. The ending of conflict and ensuing political environment has been regarded conducive for continuation of scientific research on rhinos in Bardia. WWF provided technical and financial assistance for the monitoring programme.
Rhino Action Plan (2006-2011)
The Greater One – Horned Rhinoceros Conservation Action Plan for Nepal (2006-2011) was released by the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Mr. Subhash Nembang, during the Parliamentary conservation Committee meeting held in Kathmandu on 7 January 2007.
The action plan gives further shape to short and long term strategies for rhino conservation in nine objectives that focus on
- Research
- Habitat Expansion
- Translocation
- Human – rhino conflict
- Strengthening anti poaching activities
- Building infrastructural capacity
- Limiting ex situ conservation
- Increasing collaboration at all levels
- Ensuring sustainable funding to implement the plan.
During the parliamentary meeting, Hon. Mr. Dilendra Prasad Badu, State Minister of forest and Soil Conservation as well as communication, tourism and Civil Aviation publicly announced that no poachers serving jail sentences would be released. Minister Badu also committed to the immediate establishment of anti poaching posts. Several policy makers have also proposed stringent punishments for poachers and wildlife product smugglers/traders and that the Greater One – horned rhinoceros be declared the national animal of Nepal .
Following an alarming string of poaching incidents in around Chitwan and Bardia national park in the latter half of 2006, local and national level media in Nepal have been especially active in focusing on highlighting the plight of the rhinos. WWF supported a field visit for members of Nepal Environmental Federation of Environmental Journalists to the affected areas who presented their findings and recommendations at a forum held at the NEFEJ headquarters in Kathmandu.
