Hello everyone! I am bachelor undergraduate at Institute of Forestry, Tribhuvan University taking Forestry and Wildlife as my major academic subjects. So, this thematic report I will particularly inscribe about Kamal Jung Kunwar, The Rhino Conservation Hero of Nepal.

Conservation Profile:

* Kunwar is the former chief conservation warden and the head of the Anti-poaching Operation Unit, 2003- 2007 of Chitwan National Park (CNP).

(The Chitwan National Park (CNP), a natural World Heritage site; is one of the oldest National Park in Nepal and renowned for one-horned Rhino in the world. A total of 68 species of mammals, 544 species of birds, 56 species of herpetofauna and 126 species of fish have been recorded in the park. A part from one-horned Rhino, the park is also remarkable for the conservation of Royal Bengal Tiger and Gharial Crocodile. In 2013, CNP is marked for one of the World's best National Park for Royal Bengal Tiger)

* The writer of "4 years For the Rhino"(Published date: 2009). The book is fully based on his experience as a chief conservation warden and Anti-poaching Operation Unit (2003-2007) of CNP and his efforts to curb the poaching trend of One-horned Rhino.

History:

*As per the history and during the civil war in Nepal, 37 rhinos were killed by poachers in single year 2002 AD, bringing many conservationist to find out the approach to save the endangered one-horned rhino from extinction in the country.

*In Feb 2003, Kamal Jung Kunwar was transferred from Sagarmatha National Park to Chitwan National Park as a head of the Anti-poaching Operation Unit.

*In June 2006, Kamal Jung Kunwar including the chief of the Chitwan national park and Ranger Ritesh Basnet were suspended and taken into police custody for the rumored murder of Shikha Ram Chaudhary, suspected of being involved in Rhino poaching.

* In 4 March 2007, the above case was dismissed and the officers were released.

*Kunwar was allocated as a Chitwan National Park's Chief Warden (March 10, 2007- August 2007). During 5 month of his tenancy, there were no any poaching case of Rhino.

* In 2007 Sep, he had taken his transfer to Ministry of Forest, Kathmandu. 

* Again after 6 year i.e. in 2013, he was allocated as a Chitwan National Park's Chief Warden.

Major Achievement in Rhino Conservation for Nepal:

*During his two years of tenure (2013-2015) as a Chief Warden in CNP, Nepal was successful in celebrating 2 years of zero Rhino Poaching. 

*Rhino Populations in Chitwan National Park:

2005= 372 in number

2015=605 in CNP and 645 in Nepal

And the key person behind these Achievements in Rhino Conservation is Mr. KAMAL JUNG KUNWAR, the Rhino Conservation Hero of Nepal.

 References/ Information Sources:

  1. TUNZA Eco-Generation, Our actions; (Thematic Report): KHAAG- The Nepali movie based on Rhino Conservation. Available at: https://tunza.eco-generation.org/m/view.jsp?board=ourActions&viewID=48713

 2. The Himalayan Times, Nepal: Wildlife wardens suspended. Published: June 14, 2006. Available at: https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/wildlife-wardens-suspended/

3.  The Kathmandu Post: A new film celebrates a park official—and the torture and abuse of detainees. Available at: https://kathmandupost.com/movie-review/2019/03/13/a-new-film-celebrates-a-park-officialand-the-torture-and-abuse-of-detainees

4. CHITWAN NATION PARK. Available at: https://www.chitwannationalpark.gov.np/

5. KHAAG MOVIE NEPALI documentary Movie (Rhino Horn). Available in YouTube

6. WWF, Nepal: Case dismissed, park staff released.  Available at: https://www.wwfnepal.org//?95800/Case-dismissed-park-staff-released

Photo Sources:

Photo 1: srfnepal.org.np

Photo 2: WWF UK Blog