Invasion of wild climber poses threat to rhino habitat in CNP

Invasion of a wild climber, which is also called Mikinia Micrantha, is posing a serious threat to the rhino habitat in Chitawan National Park (CNP) , Save the Environment Foundation (SEF) said.

In a press conference organised in Kathmandu Sunday, SEF founder Chanda Rana said the recent survey carried out by the Zoological Society of London found that 50 percent of the rhino have already been affected by the Mikania.

"During my filming I found one third of prime rhino habitat in the CNP were already engulfed by the infestation of the wild weed," said Rana who has recently produced a documentary called 'Mile a Minute, a serious threat to CNP', as an initiation to raise awareness regarding the impact of the wild climber.

Rana also informed that SEF will organise a national workshop in the second week of November at CNP which will have the participation of all the stakeholders on Mikinia infestation.

The SEF has also planned to arrange visit of Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai to some areas of the national park where infestation of Mikinia Micrantha is most severe. nepalnews.com