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Project status
Active
Habitat
Forest, Grassland and Wetlands
Region/Country
Nepal and India

The greater one-horned rhino is restricted to less than a dozen protected areas, scattered across north and north-eastern India and southern Nepal. Poaching and the loss of their grassland and wetland habitat have left just 3,700 rhinos alive today. 

Restoring greater one-horned rhino

Why are greater one-horned rhinos threatened?  

 Poaching of greater one-horned rhinos for horns to sell on the international market as a bogus ‘miracle cure’ is an ongoing threat to this magnificent species. Their horns are very valuable on the black market, despite being much smaller than African rhino horns, and despite bans on trade by the Nepali and Indian governments and globally by CITES (the international treaty aiming to protect species by regulating trade).  

The lowland grasslands, swamps and meadows favoured by rhinos also represent prime grazing for cattle and very fertile cultivable land. This has caused their habitat to become densely populated by people.  

  • 3700
    Remaining greater one-horned rhinos across India and Nepal
  • 30%
    Illegal grazing has dropped since we started working with local farmers to ensure strong yields
  • 17%
    Recovery in greater-one horned rhino as a result of our collaborative conservation approach
  • Greater one-horned rhino crossing a safari trail at Kaziranga National Park, Assam
    Greater one horned rhino in lake in Nepal

    Stopping rhino poaching in Nepal 

    Together with local communities and our partners, we have established anti-poaching patrols which are key to recovering numbers in Nepal. We are successfully keeping poaching under control, and in 2021 recorded the largest numbers of rhinos since the 1960s. This has created a foundation for the slow and steady recovery of their population in Nepal, helping achieve a 17% increase over the last few years.   

    We’ve worked in Chitwan National Park in Nepal for over twenty-five years. By working together with the Nepali government, local communities, and our partners, we have established effective anti-poaching patrols which are crucial to providing regular updates on the population health. Our Nepal team coordinates with CNP and Parsa National Park (PNP) to gather intelligence to stay one-step ahead of poachers. This work is pro-actively preventing poaching and has been central to recovering rhino numbers. We have developed strong relationships with government organisations and conservation partners, to build a strong united resistance to poaching which is highly effective in protecting rhinos.   

    Our long journey of recovery with them has been so successful they are able to translocate rhino’s, to build similar projects elsewhere. We have provided our support to Nepal’s government to translocate rhinos from Chitwan National Park to boost populations in Bardia and Shuklaphanta national parks to create more healthy rhino populations.   

    Support our work in Nepal

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    Javan rhino emerging from bush
    Greater one-horned rhino calf and adult

    Protecting Nepal’s rhinos 

    When nature loses, we all do. That’s why we’ve introduced innovative solutions to make life better for both people and rhinos. People rely on livestock to survive, but competition with endangered rhinos for grazing doesn’t help anyone. Overgrazing can damage habitats, increase risk of disease transmission between animals and exacerbate poverty.   

    We’ve collaborated with local farmers to ensure their yields are strong, which also has the benefit of protecting rhinos. We supported farmers to raise productive breeds of cattle, provided access to veterinary services, and taught sustainable grazing practices. We’ve set-up women-led cooperatives which are empowering communities to build happier lives, though providing savings, loans and better livestock.   

    This has created a big boost for rhinos as well as people. The new healthy grassland is helping restore Chitwan’s rhino population and has even made the area a suitable choice for rhino translocation projects. While over in Suklaphanta 60km2 of farmland is now being managed sustainably, illegal grazing has dropped by 30% and there are no longer any wildlife disease outbreaks since the veterinary clinics were introduced.   

    Nepali woman carrying compost manures on her basket.
    Greater one-horned rhino (Indian Rhino) in lush forest in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

    The path to rhino conservation success

    The establishment of protected areas and park protection support from the Nepal Army from the 1970’s was highly effective in saving the last remaining rhinos. However, due to political instability and insurgency in the country between 1996 – 2006, armed patrols became less common and poaching slowly increased. The peace accord in 2006 helped restore regular patrols and surveillance to prevent poaching incidents and safeguard this iconic species.  

    Project information

    Greater one-horned rhino project 

    Key species living alongside greater one-horned rhino

    Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris), endangered   
    Greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), vulnerable  
    Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), endangered  
    Bengal florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis), critically endangered  
    Hodgson’s bushchat (Saxicola insignis), vulnerable  
    Swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii), vulnerable  

    People involved 

    Dr Hem Sagar Baral, Country Director and Dr Bhagawan Raj Dahal, Deputy Country Director are managing Nepal’s overall projects.

    Greater one-horned rhino conservation partners and sponsors  

    The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation 
    The National Trust for Nature Conservation 
    Himalayan Nature 
    Mithila Wildlife Trust
    Community groups under the national parks' Buffer Zone User Committees 
    The UK Trust for Nature Conservation in Nepal funded anti-poaching and livelihoods work in Chitwan and Bardia National Parks 
    The UK Darwin Initiative funded the livelihoods work in Suklaphanta National Park 

    Stand up for nature

    As the original science-led conservation organisation, we’re driving forward a journey of recovery for the planet, to restore the wonder and diversity of life everywhere. From rhinos or dormice, we are always there for nature. Join us on our journey to build a more balanced and connected world.