Nawalparasi, December 13
India refuses to return the rhinos swept away by the floods in the Narayani River.
The Indian security forces has denied the requests of the Nepali team to return the three rhinos. They add that the can only return the rhinos after receiving orders from the central government.
The Department of Wildlife in consultation with the Ministry of Forests and Environment had asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ask India to return the rhinos. But according to Chief Conservation Officer at Chitwan National Park, Bed Kumar Dhakal, it has been three months since the request and they were still waiting for answers.
Last year 11 rhinos were swept away by the floods whereas this year around nine were reported missing. “Out of the nine we successfully brought back six but the forces in India are refusing to hand over the rest back,” add Dhakal.
Conservations officers add that the rhinos don’t have a proper place to stay which is why they are trying to get them back. “India isn’t taking proper care of the rhinos which is why we are trying to get them back. They are staying in hills and ponds which aren’t proper areas for them,” shares Dhakal.
He also added that as soon as the rhinos entered Nepal, a team in Susta was ready to bring them back for good. But according to locals at Susta the Indian forces are not letting the rhinos enter Nepal.
