Chitwan National Park has enhanced its security measures targeting the upcoming festivals to prevent illegal poaching activities. Due to the increased risk of poaching during major festivals like Dashain and Tihar, the park has implemented heightened vigilance.
According to Chief Conservation Officer Dil Bahadur Purja Pun, poaching incidents tend to rise during this period, prompting intensified security patrols. Along with routine checks, the park has ramped up random patrols and inspections. “We have strengthened the 67 posts within the park area and instructed regular contact with local communities to ensure more effective operations,” he said.
Nepal Army and park authorities are conducting regular patrols from these posts, with additional security personnel deployed in plain clothes. Pun further mentioned that the community-based poaching control units have been alerted to remain vigilant during the festival season. Given the historical rise in poaching of Bengal tigers and one-horned rhinos during this time, patrolling methods, including elephant patrols, foot patrols, and cycling patrols, have been made more effective.
Sensitive areas prone to poaching have been identified, and security personnel have been deployed accordingly. Pun also noted that community-based anti-poaching programs have been made more effective in recent times. This year, six rhinos have been found dead in the park and surrounding areas, with one killed by electrocution and the others due to natural causes.
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