Field Visit Programme for Journalists |
7 to 11 December, 2006 You must be aware that the poaching of the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, for which the World Heritage Site of Chitwan National Park is renowned, has increased dramatically in the last few months. This has an impact on the country’s status. Conservation efforts and tourism consequently lose out. If conservation of rhinos is not made effective in time, it could be that one day rhinos will be limited to pictures. Since the Rhino Census of 2005, 36 rhinos have been killed. This is much higher than past figures. The government meanwhile is trying to reduce the punishment for rhino poachers and. Neither has it been effective in implementing strong conservation efforts. In order to investigate the poaching of rhinos and lack of effective conservation programmes we are organising a five-day field trip for journalists. |