Rhino census uncertain due to suspension of USAID project

CHITWAN, MARCH 2: The rhino census, conducted every five years, is now uncertain due to a lack of funding. This year, budget shortages have hindered the count, which has traditionally relied on donor support.

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) carries out the rhino census in collaboration with various conservation organizations. However, ecologist and department spokesperson Haribhadra Acharya revealed that an agreement with USAID’s ‘Jal Jungle Project’—which was set to provide essential equipment—has been disrupted following the project's suspension.

The project had already initiated the procurement process, issuing tenders for GPS devices, laptops, tents, cooking utensils, and other necessary materials. It had committed to covering Rs 5 million worth of equipment costs, while the total estimated budget for the census stands at around Rs 15 million.

The census was planned in partnership with WWF Nepal, ZSL Nepal, the National Trust for Nature Conservation, and other stakeholders. Preparations were in place to conduct the count between March 18 and April 7, with results expected by mid-April. However, with donor support suspended at the last moment, the entire operation is now at risk.

DNPWC Director General Dr. Ram Chandra Kandel stated that unless alternative funding is secured through discussions with the ministry, the census may have to be postponed. He further emphasized that conducting the rhino count this year would ease the process for the upcoming tiger census in 2026, as carrying out both simultaneously would be unfeasible.

Although ongoing monitoring provides insights into rhino populations, an official census is essential for accurately determining their numbers and habitat distribution. The last rhino census, conducted in 2021, recorded 752 one-horned rhinos across Nepal, with Chitwan National Park hosting the largest population of 694. These endangered animals also inhabit Parsa, Bardiya, and Shuklaphanta National Parks.