Pressure mounts to halt rhino relocation

By Bomlal Giri,Nawalpur, Nov. 16: Tourism entrepreneurs, hotel operators, nature guides, conservationists and officials of community forest management committees in Nawalpur have demanded the cessation of rhino relocation efforts.

During a meeting on Thursday, stakeholders argued that transferring rhinos would harm the local tourism industry, increase unnecessary state expenditure and violate the rhinos’ right to roam freely.

The opposition arose after Chitwan National Park announced plans to relocate four additional rhinos from the western sector (Nawalpur region) to the eastern sector (Chitwan). This decision follows a 2022 feasibility study by a technical task force led by the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation, which recommended transferring 10 rhinos to balance population pressure. Six rhinos were already relocated in April last year.

Participants at the meeting stressed that rhinos, which naturally migrate within the park, should not face human interference. 

Sharada Prasad Adhikari Ward Chairman of Kawasoti Municipality -11 suggested that instead of relocating rhinos, the park should focus on habitat management to ensure the animals remain in the forest and avoid encroaching on the human settlements.

Santosh Rana Magar, district president of the Hotel Entrepreneurs’ Association, called for the formation of a dedicated conservation committee. Nature guide Sudan Lamsal stressed the need for in-depth research to address why rhinos venture into villages.

Conservationist Shankar Tiwari highlighted the rich biodiversity of the Nawalpur area. He asked to advocate for establishing Nawalpur as a separate national park and criticised the relocation plan, citing inadequate studies and high costs.

Former Deputy Mayor and conservationist Prem Shankar Mardaniya said that rhino relocation is unnecessary, as the animals tend to return to their original habitat. He said that the western sector is ideal for rhinos to breed and thrive.

The western sector of Chitwan National Park is a prime wildlife area, attracting growing numbers of tourists due to frequent sightings of rhinos, tigers, deer and birds, according to Fansaram Mahato, chairperson of the Tourism Entrepreneurs’ 

Association, Nawalpur.

Rhino population and 

conservation efforts

The western sector has 209 rhinos out of the park’s total of 694, according to the latest census. Around 100 rhinos are reported to wander into farmlands, impacting local communities, said Kedarnath Ghimire, chair of the Amaltari Community Forest Users Group.

A 13-member committee, led by senior conservationist Bishnu Adhikari, has been formed to ensure sustainable conservation of rhinos and other wildlife. The committee will work with local communities, stakeholders and Chitwan National Park to conduct scientific studies and enhance conservation efforts in suitable habitats.

In its initial efforts, the committee submitted a memorandum to Nawalpur’s Chief District Officer to halt rhino relocation and held discussions with conservationists to strategise further actions.