NNCT set to carry out Rhino Census

The National Nature Conservation Trust (NNCT) is planning to carryout Rhino Census from mid February this year, officials said.

Member Secretary of the Trust, Bimal Kumar Baniya, said the census would be carried out in cooperation with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.

"Regular Rhino Count is necessary for formulating long-term policies for the protection of the wildlife," he told RSS news agency.

To recall, the First Rhino Census was carried out in Nepal in 1950 and it revealed the population to be around 800. Last Census was carried out in 2005 that showed 372 rhinos dwelling in Chitwan National Park, 30 in Bardia National Park and 7 in Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve.

Dr. Shantaraj Gyawali, a conservationist at the Trust, said the number of rhinos began to decline after incidents of poaching and encroachment in their habitat increased. nepalnews.com ag Jan 25 08