Successful Reduction in Rhino Poaching in Nepal

Key Points in Document:

• This journal article is a case study of Nepal’s successful efforts to reduce rhino poaching, and contains a review of the actions taken by the Nepalese government and partners, statistics of rhino poaching and populations, and the factors which may have contributed to a sharp decline in poaching.
• The authors gathered information for the case study through field visits in Kathmandu, Chitwan National Park, Bardia National Park, and Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve in 2012, where they interviewed Park Department staff and army officers. The authors additionally interviewed Forest Department officials, NGO staff, and tourism sector staff.
• National parks in Nepal have been international success stories, with only one rhino poached each in 2011 and 2012. This success may be attributable to increased effort and commitment in 2010 by the Nepalese government, which set up three wildlife control committees and coordinated efforts across many law enforcement sectors, NGOs, and local people. The government increased measures to protect rhinos, including “training of law-enforcement officers, enforced severe penalties for wildlife crimes, better anti-poaching units composed of members of the communities living around the parks, improved intelligence gathering, and more money allocated to the communities as a result of increased park income from higher entry fees, and a higher number of tourists.”
• The authors recommend that those involved in rhino protection in other areas of the world review and consider implementing some of the strategies used by Nepal that contributed to their success, including greater commitment from governments and heads of state, “strengthened intelligence networks, more stringent penalties for rhino crimes, and improved relations between officials and the people surrounding rhino-protected areas.”

 

Citation: Martin E, Martin C, Vigne L. Successful Reduction in Rhino Poaching in Nepal. Pachyderm. 2013;(54):66-73.