KATHMANDU: Chitwan National Park has arrested 65 individuals for various offenses since launching a conservation campaign on October 29 to protect the park and its buffer zone.
According to Abinash Thapa Magar, the park’s information officer and conservation officer, arrests included one person for a tiger-related offense, two for keeping wild boars without permission, 30 for unauthorized grass and firewood collection, 23 for illegal fishing, one for killing pigeons, and eight for skunk collection without permission.
Magar said offenders are detained and penalized according to park regulations. To strengthen conservation efforts, discussions are ongoing with stakeholders to curb poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
In the past one and a half months, two rhinos and one tiger have been found dead in the park and buffer zone.
On November 22, a 31-year-old female rhino drowned in the Narayani River, and on November 28, a 35-year-old female rhino died of natural aging near Dhruva Post. Both rhinos’ horns and hooves were intact.
Additionally, a six-year-old tiger died on December 1 in Nandapurghat, Nawalpur, following a fight with another tiger.
Human-wildlife conflicts have also claimed lives. On November 5, 65-year-old Chun Bahadur Bote of Kawasoti-7, and on November 23, 65-year-old Nathuram Mahato of Madhyabindu-6, were killed by rhinos while working in fields within the Krishnasar buffer community forest.
Four others have been injured in similar incidents.
Chitwan National Park plans to intensify conservation efforts and community collaboration throughout the winter months to prevent further violations and enhance wildlife protection.
Comment