Chitwan, March 2
The upcoming rhino census, which is conducted every five years, is uncertain due to a lack of funding. The census, traditionally funded by donor support, faces budget constraints this year.
The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, in collaboration with various park agencies, usually conducts the census. However, ecologist and information officer Haribhadra Acharya explained that an agreement had been made with USAID’s ‘Jal Jungle project’ for the purchase of necessary equipment for the census. But with the suspension of the project, the census is now in doubt.
The project had already initiated the procurement process by issuing a tender notice and was set to cover the costs of GPS equipment, laptops, tents, and other materials worth Rs 5 million, as well as additional expenses for the census, which are estimated to total Rs 15 million.
Preparations had been made in collaboration with organizations like World Wildlife Fund Nepal, ZSL Nepal, and the National Trust for Nature Conservation. The census was scheduled to take place from March 18 to April 7, with results expected in the second week of April.
Department Director General Dr. Ram Chandra Kandel stated that the suspension of donor support has affected final preparations. He added that the census could still proceed if new funding is secured, but without it, it may be forced to suspend the project.
The last rhino census was conducted in 2021, and the results will help determine the rhino population across Chitwan, Parsa, Bardiya, and Shukla Phanta national parks. The rhino population in Nepal currently stands at 752, with Chitwan National Park having the highest number at 694.
