“The mapping of the park has started from Wednesday,” Pradhan said. A task-force under the co-ordination of Director of the National Park and Wild Life Department Shiva Raj Bhatta has already been formed to chalk out the new policy following a two-day meeting of the department and security officials at Sauraha. The task force will study and monitor the current security situation of the park for around 45 days before formulating the new policy.
The park authorities informed that the plan to use aerial patrolling had been dropped for lack of funds. It also admitted that poaching had increased in recent days. However, they claimed that poaching would be significantly come down once the new security mechanism would be put in place.
The Chitwan National Park, the first national park of Nepal, was established some 36 years ago. Altogether 47 posts in four sectors -- Sauraha in east, Amaltari in west, Madithori in south and Kasara in center -- have been set up for the security of wild animals.
The park is considered the second largest habitat for rhino in the world that was home to some 800 rhinos back in 1950. However, the recent poaching spree has brought the number of rhinos down to 408. The park is also home to 56 species of mammals, 526 species of birds, reptiles and amphibians, and 120 species of fish. However, poaching has threatened the existence of endangered species and other animals alike.
The park staffers currently man 16 posts themselves. While they work with Nepal Army (NA) in another 18 posts, the rest of the 13 posts are looked after solely by NA soldiers. The staffers claim that they are not able to focus on wildlife security as they also have to tend to conservation centers themselves. The national park also houses breeding centers for crocodiles, elephants, vultures and tortoise which needs constant attention of park employees.
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