Significance of Rhinos

The Rhinocerous a species attributed for its unique one-horn and fierce strength, has made its mark since ancient times. 

Literature suggests that both Hindus and Buddhists used pieces of the rhino horn or skin in a rice-filled container with water and flowers to attract the spirit of the dead, 

Today, thankfully, this practice would be illegal in Nepal. 

On January 9th,1981 King Birendra of Nepal was shown entering the carcass of a disemboweled rhino at the bank of the Rapti River, and made an offering to his father King Mahendra, and his ancestors. 

The ancient tradition allowed mature male rhinos to be sacrificed for royalty. 

The culture of rhino hunting became both an aristocratic sport, and a religious practice. Sadly, as a result, the rhino population started to decrease in Nepal.  

In the 1950s there were around 800 rhinos in Nepal, after which Nepal’s first conservation law was established to protect the species, but by 1960 the population went down to only 200. 

In 1963, the area around the Rapti River on the edge of Chitwan National Park was established as a rhino sanctuary, but by 1966 again its population decreased to a mere 100. 

By 1978 a significant increase was noted, after the establishment of Chitwan National Park, a large nature reserve. Conservationists began translocating rhinos to other reserves and slowly began growing the population. 

By 2021, Nepal had a record 752 rhinos. 

The largest one-horned rhino population is in Kaziranga National Park in India and Chitwan National Park holds the second-largest one-horned rhinoceros population.  

In 2019, Bardiya National Park received the award for best Sustainable Destination in the Asia Pacific category of the Sustainable Top 100 Destination Award- 2019. 

Issues of invasive weeds in the grasslands need to be dealt with so as to not decrease the population again. These weeds are responsible for 44% of the degradation of the rhino habitat. The invasive plant shrinks the grassland, and as a result, rhinos attempt to move out of National Park.

This has led to rhino attacks and fatalities as they have started infiltrating residential areas. 

Poachers still exist, even though illegal. Most poachers are from the indigenous Tharu and Tamang ethnic groups, historically marginalized communities.

 In 1996, a single horn would be sold for 50,000 to 100,000 rupees ($1,087 to $ 2,174), 

Rhino horns are sadly still used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and are also used as a decorative item to symbolize status and wealth.  

Until 1990, horns and feet of hunted rhinos were displayed in the Royal palace, the only person who could legally own rhino horns. 

But in 2016, 357 rhino horns were burnt in the presence of a minister and other representatives. 

As the wildlife population increases in Nepal, there is the rise of new challenges, and behind them are religious and cultural traditions that hardly anyone has even heard of. A perfect story of conservation efforts and ancient traditions.