Kathmandu, Sept. 20 -- Like much else the census of one-horned rhinos in Nepal's protected areas has also been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The counting of the endangered species was initially planned for the last fiscal year but did not go as scheduled and it could be months before it begins.

The rhino count, which was to start on March 23, had to be called off for an indefinite period after the government had barred gatherings with more than 25 people in one place as part of measures to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country. The country then went under a four-month lockdown from March 24.

Now the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation-the government authority responsible for the management of parks and...