Effectiveness of grassland management practices for One-Horned Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) conservation in Chitwan National Park

Grasslands in Chitwan National Park (CNP), Nepal, are vital for the Greater One-horned Rhinoceros(Rhinoceros unicornis), providing essential food resources, cover, and breeding sites. This studyevaluated the role of grassland management in enhancing rhino habitat quality by comparingmanaged and unmanaged areas. We systematically surveyed 66 vegetation plots (5 × 5 m), recordingvariables such as grass cover, height, crown cover, presence of invasive species, Shannon diversity,evenness, habitat type, and distance to water and human settlements. Rhinos were detected in 88%of managed plots versus 49% of unmanaged plots, showing a strong preference for actively managedhabitats. Linear regression analysis indicated that grass cover, habitat type, invasive species, diversityindices, crown cover, and proximity to settlements significantly influenced rhino presence,explaining 97% of habitat-use variation. Managed grasslands supported higher densities of palatablegrasses, including Saccharum spontaneum, Cynodon dactylon, and Phragmites karka, had lowerinvasive species cover, and offered more open vegetation structure, improving forage quality andmovement. These results demonstrate that interventions such as controlled burning, mowing, andinvasive species control enhance habitat suitability, sustain forage availability, and promote naturalrhino behavior. The study underscores the critical importance of active grassland management formaintaining high-quality habitat and ensuring long-term conservation of the Greater One-hornedRhinoceros in CNP.