Chitwan, April 21

Chitwan National Park, which succeeded in setting zero poaching records at different times in the past, has devised a new action plan to enhance the park’s security.

Not even a single rare animal, including the one-horned rhino has been poached since May 2, 2014. If any wild animal is not poached by 2 May 2016, the national park will celebrate zero poaching for the second consecutive year.

At a time when the national park is all set to observe zero poaching year, it has also launched various strategies to strengthen security at sensitive areas.

Although the park had established four security posts, it has set up four additional new posts. Nepali Army’s Shreejung Battalion is proving security to the park.

According to battalion chief Madhav Thapa, around 200 additional NA personnel were deployed in the park. “Security around the park has been beefed up,” said Chief Conservation Officer of CNP Ram Chandra Kandel.

Besides, night patrolling around Pyaridhap, Sauraha, Kasara, Syalbas, Madi and Amaltari has begun. The team comprises personnel from the Nepali Army, national park officials and local stakeholders. “Sniffer dogs are also being used to prevent trespassing,” said Kandel.

Nepal Army has mobilised a special force for wildlife conservation. According to Kandel, cameras have been installed in different places of the national park.

According to the park source, as many as 37 one-horned rhinos were poached in 2002, when the Maoist insurgency was at its peak.

There are 605 one-horned rhinos and 125 stripped tigers in the park as per the latest census.