CHITWAN, NOV 05 - Not a single incident of rhino poaching has been reported in the Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP) since the Park authorities adopted a new anti-poaching strategy four months ago. The park had been witnessing poaching of at least four rhinos a month in the past years prior to the enforcement of the new strategy, according to sources.
The new strategy was implemented as poaching incidents reached alarming levels in the past two years; and it has yielded a positive result, observed a park official.
As per the new strategy, water patrol is being carried out along with land patrols. A steamer provided by the WWF and with 10 security personnel aboard patrols the park on the Narayani and the Rapti rivers. Also new camps have been set up in sensitive areas and mobile patrols have been increased, informed Kamal Jung Kunwar, the Assistant Warden of the park.
"Since no poaching incidents have been reported in the past four months, we are encouraged with the outcome of the new strategy," said Kunwar.
Joint security teams of park rangers and Royal Nepal Army personnel of the Gorakh battalion are patrolling the park.
Despite reduction in the number of security posts, the mobile patrol teams have worked wonders. This has discouraged poachers to a greater length, remarked an RNA official.
Of the total 14 rhinos that died till the first week of July, poachers killed eight, states a park record. Of the 46 rhinos dead last year, poachers had claimed 30.
Park officials have arrested 32 persons involved in poaching so far. Two more were killed in an encounter with the park security personnel, according to sources.Posted on: 2003-11-04 09:19

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