Bharatpur, Nov 18: The Ministry of Forests and Environment has formed a committee to investigate the incident of two rhinos being killed by poachers in the Chitwan National Park. A five-member committee has been formed under the coordination of Bed Kumar Dhakal, Deputy Director General of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Department.
The ministry formed a committee on Friday by secretary-level decision and it will submit a report within 10 days. The committee includes chief of the Directorate of National Parks and Wildlife Reserves of the Nepal Army, Deputy Superintendent of Police of the Central Investigation Bureau of the Nepal Police, law officers and investigation officers of the National Parks Department.
Deputy Director General Dhakal said that he will come to Chitwan on Sunday and start the work on site. He said that after studying the incident site and discussing with the stakeholders, the facts about the incident will be looked at. A report will be prepared after collecting the necessary evidence and including the shortcomings and issues that need to be improved.
A committee has been formed to investigate after two one-horned rhinoceros were killed by smugglers in the national park. The rhinoceros was found dead last Thursday. An 18-year-old female rhino was found dead near Wadela river in Chaparchuli area under the eastern sector of the park.
As soon as the incident became public, a factual investigation was demanded. Nepali Congress Chitwan issued a statement and demanded an investigation into the incident. People involved in the conservation sector also expressed concern and demanded a fair investigation. There are 694 rhino in Chitwan National Park.
