Four CNP rhinos to be relocated to eastern sector

By Bomlal Giri

Nawalpur, Nov. 11: Four rhinos from the western sector (Nawalpur area) of Chitwan National Park (CNP) are set to be relocated to the eastern sector. 

According to Information Officer of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DoNPWC), Haribhadra Acharya, this move follows the department's plan to transfer a total of 10 rhinos from the western to the eastern sector. Six rhinos had already been moved to the eastern area in March this year.

Acharya said that the relocation is necessary due to the higher density of rhinos and the risks of flooding in the western sector while the eastern area is safer. "There are incidents of rhinos coming out of the forest in the morning, entering villages at night, destroying crops, and occasionally attacking people. Additionally, poachers have been exploiting the predictable paths the rhinos use, making relocation essential," said Acharya. 

Abinash Thapa Magar, Information Officer of the CNP Office, said that the high density of rhinos in the western sector has caused problems in water and habitat. Relocation is also needed to maintain genetic balance, he said.

Statistics maintained by the CNP show that if Kasara is considered as the central point, 65 per cent of the rhino population is in the western area, with only 35 per cent in the east. The latest census recorded 694 rhinos in the CNP. A year-long feasibility study conducted by a technical team under the DoNPWC in 2022 recommended relocating 10 rhinos from the west to the east. Following this recommendation, the Ministry of Forests and Environment approved the transfer, and six rhinos were moved in March earlier this year.

Chief Conservation Officer of the CNP, Dr. Ganesh Pant said that the relocation is necessary due to high rhino density, habitat issues, human-wildlife conflict, and the impacts of climate change. According to him, monitoring rhinos that are fitted with radio collars would help protect them from flood damage. Although the CNP experiences annual flooding from major rivers like Narayani and Rapti, there are no clear records of how many rhinos have been swept away. With India now conserving rhinos that drift across the border, the park has no means to rescue and bring them back, underscoring the need for the relocation.

However, tourism and hotel businesses in Nawalpur are opposing the plan for the relocation of rhinos. Phansaram Mahato, President of the Nawalpur Tourism Committee, said, "Rhinos are a key attraction for the area, alongside tigers in the east and gharials in the rivers. Continued transfers of rhinos to the eastern sector could also mean that the western region is unable to conserve its wildlife." 

Concerned groups in Nawalpur, including the Nawalpur Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, Nawalpur Tourism Committee, Nature Guides Association, and local conservation groups, have formally demanded an immediate halt to the relocation. They have urged authorities to adopt scientific methods to manage human-wildlife conflict instead of transferring the rhinos. 

In response, the District Administration Office of Nawalpur acknowledged their concerns and promised to hold discussions with all stakeholders.