In 1960, there were more than 1,000 rhinos in Chitwan Valley. But in 13 years, the number of rhinos decreased to 80. After the establishment of Chitwan National Park in 1973 and the start of protection, it was estimated that the number of rhinos increased to 350.

According to a study conducted by Resource Nepal, which researches natural sciences, 120 rhinos have decreased in a period of 12 years from 2038. Natural mortality during this period was 55 percent, death by poaching 20 percent and 25 percent sent out as gifts . 

In the beginning, distribution of rhinos was started by giving gifts to China, and by 2050, Nepali rhinos have reached India, Pakistan, Singapore, Germany and America. During this period, 6 rhinos were gifted to America alone. 

Prahlad Yonjan, a member of the National Environment Protection Council, raised the question of poaching or a gift in the decline of the number of rhinos. This question led to a debate about the decline in rhino population due to gifts. After it was raised that it was not appropriate to give 25 percent of the total number as a gift, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Udayraj Sharma, argued that the number of people in Nepal has decreased due to disease, poaching, etc.

At that time, a Nepalese rhinoceros was also kept in a zoo in Pakistan. Sharma said that rhinos cannot be sold due to restrictions imposed by the Sitis treaty. Therefore, the claim that the gift was given was from the government's side . 

 It was believed that if you make a powder of rhinoceros horn and eat it, it will increase your sexual power, it will cure diseases such as fever, and it was estimated that poaching has increased. The Arabs consider themselves prestigious if they can carry a knife made of rhinoceros horn and a khukuri sword. The government estimated that the increasing number of tourists also caused problems in the habitat of the rhinoceros.