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23rd September 2024 (9 Topics)

India’s Rhino Conservation Success

Context

The Indian rhinoceros, once on the brink of extinction, has seen a remarkable resurgence in its population, thanks to decades of dedicated conservation efforts by the government and the forest department. From a staggering low of just 200 individuals at the start of the 20th century, India now boasts over 2,600 rhinos, housing approximately 85% of the world’s total Indian rhino population.

Key-initiatives to conserve Rhino

  • India banned rhino hunting in 1910.
  • World Rhino Day is celebrated every 22 September.
  • The Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV 2020) program aimed to reintroduce rhinos to Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam. 
  • Project Rhino is an initiative that aims to protect India’s rhino population. It focuses on preventing poaching, improving habitats, and raising public awareness. 
  • Important Rhino Habitat:
    • Kaziranga National Park in Assam. Kaziranga has become synonymous with rhino conservation, with over 2,600 individuals residing there today—making it home to more than 70% of the world’s Indian rhinoceros population.  
      • It is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain.
      • It was declared as a National Park in 1974.
      • It has been declared a tiger reserve since 2007. It has a total tiger reserve area of 1,030 sq km with a core area of 430 sq. km.
      • It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
      • It is recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.
    • Dudhwa National Park, Uttar Pradesh, where a population of 38 rhinos now thrives after re-introduction efforts in the 1980s. 
    • Manas National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
    • Jaldapara National Park 
    • Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
    • Rajaji National Park 
    • Keoladeo National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site )

About Rhino

  • There are five species of Rhinos
    • Black African rhino  (critically endangered)
    • White African rhino (near threatened)
    • Asian rhino rhino
      • Greater one–horned rhino or Indian rhino (vulnerable)
      • Sumatran rhino (critically endangered)
      • Javan rhinos  (critically endangered)
  • The greater one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) is the largest rhino species on Earth.
  • They are semi-aquatic and are great swimmers. 
  • The rhinoceros is a megaherbivore and primarily a grazer.
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