August 10, 2026
BARDIYA – The variety of one-horned rhinoceros in Bardiya Nationwide Park (BNP) is declining regardless of years of success in controlling poaching, with conservation officers blaming dwindling water sources, shrinking grasslands and a scarcity of wallowing ponds, all compounded by rising human strain.
The BNP, the most important nationwide park in lowland Tarai masking an space of 968 sq. kilometres, counted 38 rhinos in its 2021 census. In accordance with the park administration, seven rhinos died over the previous 5 years primarily because of combating.
Round 20 rhinos had been believed to have crossed into India’s Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary by the Khata hall over the previous two years, primarily because of water shortages.
Authorities haven’t performed contemporary surveys to trace the endangered species. The census scheduled for 2025 was postponed due to a funding scarcity, leaving the precise present inhabitants unsure. Conservationists are fearful relating to the declining rhino inhabitants in Bardiya.
“Though the variety of rhinos has declined, they don’t seem to be on the verge of extinction,” stated Mahesh Neupane, data officer on the park. “Rhinos naturally cross the border, and since they don’t keep in a single place, those who attain India can return to Bardiya.”
Conservationists, nonetheless, are much less assured about their return. Bijaya Raj Subedi, chief of the Division Forest Workplace in Bardiya, stated Katarniaghat has adequate water and grasslands, making it a extra engaging habitat for rhinos which have crossed from Nepal.
Conservationists say Indian authorities have lately developed grasslands, water, and wallowing amenities within the sanctuary for rhino conservation.
The Geruwa river, a significant offshoot of the Karnali, is on the centre of the issue. Its circulate has declined because the river has step by step modified course, whereas floods and sediment deposits have altered the riverbed. The Geruwa coastal space is the primary habitat of rhinos and different giant mammals in western Bardiya.
“Secure habitat, ample meals and water all year long should be managed,” stated Ramesh Kumar Thapa, a former chief conservation officer of the park. “The narrowing of organic corridors, growth of settlements, roads and different human actions have additionally turn into issues.”
A number of streams in and round Bardiya dry up through the winter months. The Karnali river is the park’s essential pure water supply, however a part of its circulate is diverted for irrigation, whereas the Geruwa receives much less water after modifications within the river’s course. The park has constructed round 200 synthetic ponds, however conservationists say these aren’t sufficient for giant animals comparable to rhinos, which want pure water our bodies and grasslands.
Ajit Tumbahamphe, Bardiya programme chief of the Nationwide Belief for Nature Conservation, stated the scarcity of pure water had pushed wildlife in the direction of India by the Khata bio-corridor. The 24-km hall hyperlinks Bardiya with Katarniaghat, permitting rhinos, tigers, elephants and different animals to maneuver throughout the border.
The decline can also be mirrored in deaths. Seven rhinos—4 males and three females—have died in Bardiya over the previous 5 years, in keeping with Neupane. A number of died in territorial fights as they competed for more and more restricted habitat.
On August 1, a male rhino of about 20 to 22 years was discovered lifeless after apparently combating one other rhino at Saijanghat alongside the Geruwa river. In April a rhino calf was discovered lifeless after a tiger assault in Shiva Neighborhood Forest. Three different rhinos died after fights in 2024 and 2022, whereas one was killed by a tiger and one other died of pure causes.
Neupane stated higher habitat administration might assist scale back conflicts amongst rhinos, notably by increasing grasslands and water sources. The park stated a donor organisation plans to fund new ponds, grasslands administration and habitat enhancements this yr.
Bardiya’s rhino inhabitants has additionally been formed by previous translocations. Between 1986 and 2000, 83 rhinos had been moved from Chitwan to the Babai Valley and Karnali river space. Park data present 36 had been killed by poachers throughout Nepal’s armed battle between 1996 and 2006 and 24 died from pure causes. No rhino poaching has been reported in Bardiya for almost 20 years.
Thapa says habitat administration now must be handled as urgently as safety. He proposed retaining rhinos in a scientifically managed, safe enclosure of no less than 500 hectares for breeding and step by step releasing them into pure habitat after their numbers enhance. “This mannequin is utilized in nationwide parks in India and South Africa, but it surely has not been launched in Nepal. It could possibly be appropriate right here,” he stated.
Neupane believes that with out dependable water, ample grasslands, wallowing websites and protected corridors, Bardiya’s rhinos will stay underneath strain.
The one-horned rhino, which is native to Nepal and India, is an endangered animal species. In accordance with the nationwide rhino census held in 2021, Nepal is house to 752 one-horned rhinos. The rhinos are present in 4 protected areas within the nation—Chitwan Nationwide Park, Bardiya Nationwide Park, Shuklaphanta Nationwide Park and Parsa Nationwide Park. In accordance with the census, Chitwan Nationwide Park alone hosts 694 rhinos whereas Bardiya Nationwide Park has 38, Shuklaphanta Nationwide Park has 17 and Parsa Nationwide Park has three.
