Rhino census begins

Rhino census has begun today from the Pratappur of Parsa National Park.
Minister for Forests and Environment Prem Bahadur Ale inaugurated the campaign by whistling.  The Chitwan National Park and the Parsa National Park have remained as a single block for the counting.

The campaign was launched on the witness of National Planning Commission member Krishna Prasad Oli, Forest Ministry's secretary Dr Bishwanath Oli, director general of Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Deepak Kharal, managing director of Department of Forests, Man Bahadur Khadka and chiefs from different donor agencies among others. 

With the commencement of the counting, a formal inauguration programme is being held in Sauraha
According to CNP chief conservation officer Ananath Baral, 40 elephants and 200 people have been mobilised to conduct the counting. There are 40 main enumerators and 20 alternative enumerators for the campaign. Prior to this, the human force assigned for the counting were given orientation on March 19 and 20 in Sauraha. 

According to National Trust for Nature Conservation, Sauraha chief Dr Baburam Lamichhane, it will take around 30 days to complete the rhino counting in two national parks. 

The latest 2015 rhino census puts the total number of rhinos at 654, including 605 in Chitwan, 29 in Bardiya, eight in Shuklaphanta and three in Parsa.