Increased rhino poaching in Chitwan National Park has prompted the Nepali government to get tough with the killers.

Now that a series of high level meetings called by Nepal’s Prime Minister have revealed that international crime syndicates are targeting Chitwan National Park’s rhinos, the government is taking a hard-line stance against rhino poaching.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal summoned high level security officials to devise an action plan for combating the alarming increase in rhino poaching in Chitwan National Park. The government has sanctioned a Rs 50 million budget for a multi-pronged approach, which has been quickly developed and is in the process of being deployed.

Increased army presence in Chitwan National Park

Army personnel in Chitwan National Park is being increased immediately; four out of eight new posts in the park have already been handed over to the Nepal Army. Military presence may increase even more, as a proposal to double the number of army personnel is being considered.

According to My Republica, Nepal Army chief Chhatraman Singh Gurung has also requested that the army be allowed to move freely within the core and buffer zone areas of Chitwan National Park. The government has already authorized additional patrolling vehicles for the army to use.

‘Shoot-on-sight’ permissions sought against rhino poachers

In addition to strengthening military presence in Chitwan National Park, Nepal Army officials have reportedly sought “shoot-on-sight” permissions against rhino poachers.

“The psychological impact of army mobilization in buffer zone is tremendous,” a highly placed NA source said, adding, “This should be done along with right to shoot-at-sight to bring down illegal activities.”

Currently, the army is required to issue an initial warning to those entering the core area of national parks.

GPS technology for rhino monitoring

Sophisticated GPS technology will be implemented to monitor rhinos in Chitwan National Park. Personnel will receive intensive training (funded by WWF) on the new new MIST (Management of Information System Technology) technology.

GPS tracking can be extended with real-time data processing, interpretation and feedback, offering new ways for wildlife management and disease control. In the MIST system, tracking device can be placed in animal body. Two rhinos in CNP have radio collaring at present.

In this regard, the government is sending 12 officials, including three NA personnel, to Thailand to learn about MIST technology operation.

A Statement of Purpose (SoP) covering the implementation of GPS technology and Nepal Army movement inside Chitwan National Park is currently being finalized by the government.

Rhino poaching epidemic driven by myths and superstitions about rhino horn

Although scientific analysis has confirmed that rhino horn has no medicinal effect on humans, cultural superstitions in China and Vietnam attribute healing powers to rhino horn.

The current rhino poaching crisis appears to be driven by the thriving market for rhino horn in China, where the heavily-funded pharmaceutical industry continues to manufacture rhino horn “remedies” and promote rhino horn as a “medicine” to the largest population on Earth.

The greater one-horned rhinoceros in Nepal

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

Dedicated conservation efforts have increased the greater one-horned rhino population worldwide to around 2,800 from a low of just 200 individuals.

Source: My Republica, 20 June 2010

Photo: istock.com

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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