A parliamentary probe into Nepal’s rise in rhino poaching reveals involvement of an international smuggling syndicate.

A recent investigation – ordered by Nepal’s Prime Minister – into increased rhino poaching in Chitwan National Park has led to an unsurprising conclusion: An international smuggling syndicate is behind the killings.

The parliament’s 11-member Natural Resources and Means Committee arrived at its conclusion following an emergency meeting called by Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal earlier this week. It was also noted that “flaws in National Parks and Wild Life Conservation Act-1973″ are a contributing factor, although the committee has not yet commented on findings pertaining to the Conservation Act’s flaws.

Committee member Laxman Ghimire said via My Republica that the committee would present recommendations to the government for halting the rhino poaching epidemic.

We will recommend to the government necessary measures that need to be taken to protect rhinos from the clutches of poachers.

Another contributing factor to the problem was apparently a “lapse in security” by the Nepal Army, which is responsible for protecting Chitwan National Park. The security issue is reportedly being investigated by an inquiry team headed by Brigadier General Yagya Bikram Rana.

Citizens and Prime Minister demand ‘action’

In addition to the Natural Resources and Means Committee, the June 16 assembly included Chitwan National Park officials, conservation activists, locals and other stakeholders.

Outside the meeting, young people called for punishment.

Dozens of school kids flanked Sunday’s meeting, bearing placards that demanded action against poachers.

Inside the meeting, the Prime Minister voiced his frustration at officials who were pointing fingers instead of taking action.

The PM called all the authorities concerned to stop the blame game and coordinate better to save the endangered species.

In the past 11 months, 28 greater one-horned rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis) have been killed by poachers in Chitwan National Park.

During the last two months, eight rhinos have died – seven from poaching activity and one believed due to natural causes, as the horn was intact. Sadly, the victims include a helpless rhino calf who perished after its mother was slaughtered.

Nepalis mourn their slain rhinos

Earlier this week, mourners gathered at Kathmandu’s Banasntapur Durbar Square to pay tribute to the rhinos who were brutally murdered, and observed eight minutes of silence (one for each rhino who had died in the last two months).

Attendees also wrote touching tributes in a condolence book that was made available for the gathering.

The beasts shot you and made you die in pain. Even that failed to satisfy them. Then they snatched away your priceless ornament from your dead body. My tribute to you.

Nepal: Home of the greater one-horned rhinoceros

Nepal is home to approximately 435 greater one-horned rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis). This Asian rhino species was recently reclassified from Endangered to Vulnerable by the IUCN.

Although the worldwide population is just 2,800, the numbers are steadily increasing from a low of 200 greater one-horned rhinos.

Rhinos under threat

All five species of rhinos remain under threat, due to demand for rhino horn in China and Vietnam. The demand is fueled by cultural superstitions that attribute healing powers to rhino horn – despite the fact that scientific analysis has proven rhino horn has no medicinal effect on humans.

Unfortunately, China’s pharmaceutical industry continues to manufacture rhino horn “remedies” and promote rhino horn as a “medicine” to the largest population on Earth.

Source: My Republica, 18 June 2010; Times of India, 14 June 2010

Photo courtesy of Shankar Chaudhary

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. Besides writing Rhino Horn is Not Medicine, I am the author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, the Editor of Project Pangolin, and a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

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