Wildlife rescue centre opens in Parsa National Park

By Rammani Dahal, Makwanpur, Apr. 21: After prolonged efforts, a wildlife rescue centre has been established and brought into operation in Parsa National Park.

With the growing human-wildlife conflict in and around the park, there had long been a compulsion to rely on Chitwan National Park for wildlife rescue operations. 

The newly established centre marks the first such facility in the area aimed at preventing human casualties.

The rescue centre was inaugurated on Sunday by Mayor Rajan Paudel of Jeetpur Simara Sub-Metropolitan City during a programme organised at the Amlekhgunj Hattisar premises in ward- 21, as part of Wildlife Week 2026.

The centre has been brought into operation through collaboration between the National Trust for Nature Conservation and Parsa National Park. 

It is designed for the rescue, treatment and rehabilitation of injured, endangered and problem-causing wildlife.

Speaking at the inauguration, Mayor Paudel said that incidents involving tigers and elephants frequently create problems in the park area, leading to human–wildlife conflict. 

He informed that efforts have been ongoing to reduce such conflict and prevent human casualties.

He also acknowledged public complaints regarding delays in rescue operations, particularly in tiger attack cases, and concerns raised over the inefficiency of the concerned authorities. 

He expressed confidence that the establishment of the rescue centre would enable timely intervention.

Mayor Paudel further stated that the centre would also contribute to the development of eco-tourism in the region.

Senior Conservation Officer Ramchandra Khatiwada said that with the operation of the rescue centre, dependence on technical teams from Chitwan National Park has ended. 

Previously, rescue operations were often delayed by up to three hours while awaiting teams from Chitwan.

He explained that immediate rescue responses will now be possible, which will help reduce conflict and minimise losses of both humans and wildlife in the buffer zones of Bara, Parsa and Makwanpur districts.

Khatiwada noted that the centre had long been necessary, as reliance on facilities in Sauraha caused delays. Such delays often resulted in retaliatory killings of animals and increased human casualties.

He added that in some cases, tigers had been killed outside protected areas due to human retaliation.  Stressing that legal measures alone are insufficient, he highlighted ongoing awareness initiatives such as the “Bagh Mitra” programme to address the issue in the long term.

The centre has been equipped with dart technicians, necessary equipment, medicines and a wildlife ambulance.

It also includes a dart gun set for tranquilising animals such as tigers, white cloth barriers used for containment, snake rescue equipment, camera traps, and tools used for capturing crocodiles.