The counting of the rare one-horned rhinoceros, which was stopped last year due to lack of budget, will not be held this year as well. 

The rhino census, which takes place every four years, is being halted this year too due to budget constraints. 

The rhino count is done by employing genetic method. It will be conducted only next year as the authorities have forwarded the process to carry out the tiger census this year.

The census is conducted by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. 

A meeting of the technical committee related to the survey of wildlife has decided to formulate the necessary 'protocol' to count rhinos by genetic method.

Haribhadra Acharya, coordinator of the committee and the Department's senior ecologist said  that discussions have already started to prepare the protocol for the purpose. 

When counting by genetic method, the enumerators are mobilized to collect rhino dung (manure) and identify the number and sex through DNA testing in the laboratory. 

The genetic structure of one rhino and another's dung is different. 

According to Acharya, after identifying those places, dung is collected again and again by installing CCTV cameras.

He said that the protocol will be mentioned on how to do all these things. 

Primarily, rhinoceros are counted by this method in Chitwan National Park. Since it is a large area, the protocol will determine how much dung will be collected from the area. 

The habitat of the rhinoceros consists of riparian forest areas, river banks, grasslands, and swamps. 

Rhinoceros are found in four parks of Nepal. 

This method will be used only in Chitwan National Park as counting can be done by looking directly at Bardiya, Shukla and Parsa. 

In Nepal, only snow leopards are being counted by this method. 

It is less expensive and safer than previous methods. 

In the past, a direct calculation method was used by separating blocks. This method is costly and risky. According to Acharya, about Rs 30 million was spent on the rhino census in 2021.

In 2021, 752 rhinos were counted in national parks and conservation areas across the country. 

In the 1960s, the rhino population dropped to around 100. 

There were an estimated 800 rhinos in Nepal in the 1950s. 

The number of rhinos in Chitwan National Park alone had increased to 694, in Bardiya National Park from 29 to 38, and in Shuklaphanta to 18 in 2021.