Updated on
Summary Rhinoceros population has risen significantly over the past three years in Nepal.
Nepals rhinoceros population has risen significantly over the past three years owing to better security against poachers and community conservation programs.The number of rhinos had decreased during the decade of fighting between government troops and Maoists rebels that ended in 2006 with a peace agreement. Since the end of the fighting, soldiers have been redeployed to keep poachers out, and the government has introduced programs with villagers living near the forests. A recent survey showed the countrys rhino population to be 534 compared to 435 in 2008.Conservationists riding elephants spent three weeks this month counting the one-horned rhinos in the forests of Chitwan in southern Nepal and Bardia in the southwest.
