As per official figures, between 2009 and June this year, at least 70 rhinos were killed by poachers in the park and some 136 poachers were arrested, without a single conviction. The shocking revelation surfaced in a report submitted by park director M K Yadava before the high court on Tuesday.

The high court had directed park authorities to furnish an 'action plan' to curb rhino poaching, after taking suo motu cognizance of the matter. Several PILs had also compelled the court to intervene.

Poor preservation of the crime scene, tampering of evidence and removal of fingerprints make it difficult for proper convictions, said the park director's report. "As of now, there is no practice of collecting samples from the crime scene. Fingerprints are not recorded either. The killed rhino's DNA is not tested, casts of poachers' footprints are not collected," stated the report. Neither is the crime scene photographed, nor are ballistic analyzes done.

The report said complete lack of coordination between the enforcing agencies within and outside the state has helped poaching rackets. "There is a complete lack of systematic information compilation on poachers, traders and linkmen in the rhino-horn racket. The problem multiplies with virtually no exchange of information among enforcement agencies. When a poacher is arrested, the arresting agency is unaware of other cases against him, leading to easy bails for 'first-time' offence," said the park director in his report.

"Though poaching is committed inside the park, a rhino-horn travels via roads, railways and airports to reach neighbouring states from where they are exported. Besides, most police personnel are unaware of wildlife laws," said the report which will be discussed before the high court on August 26.