Not One Rhino Poached In Assam In 2022
Recently Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has appreciated the people of Assam for the efforts made towards conservation of rhinos in the state for not recording a single incident of rhino poaching in Assam in 2022.
- For the first time in nearly 45 years, there has not been a single case of poaching of the endangered Indian rhinoceros (one-horned rhinoceros) in Assam in 2022.
- State Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said last year no rhino was poached in Kaziranga, Manas, Orang National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.
- It is noteworthy that between 2000 and 2021, at least 191 rhinos were poached in Assam. In 2013 and 2014, 27 rhinos were killed each year. Two rhinos were killed in each of 2020 and 2021. Before 2022, the last time no rhino poaching was reported was in 1977.
Rhinoceros
- There are 5 species of rhinoceros found around the world: white rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, Sumatran rhinoceros, giant one-horned rhinoceros and Javan rhinoceros.
- The Sumatran, Javan and black rhinos are listed as Critically Endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.
- The white rhinoceros is listed as Near Threatened and the giant one-horned rhinoceros (Indian rhinoceros) is listed as Vulnerable.
Indian Rhinoceros
- The Indian rhinoceros is the largest species of the Asian rhinoceros. The Indian rhinoceros is found only in the Brahmaputra valley, parts of northern Bengal and parts of southern Nepal.
- The Indian rhinoceros has a black horn that can grow up to 60 cm, and a tough, grayish-brown pelt with folds of skin that give the animal its characteristic armor-like appearance.
- Rhino horns are made of keratin. Keratin is a type of protein that makes up hair and nails.
- Assam is home to the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinos.
- There are about 2,895 rhinos in the state, of which 2,613 are in Kaziranga National Park, 125 in Orang National Park, 107 in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and 40 in Manas National Park.
Threats: Due to the medicinal value of the horns, they are being poached. Apart from this, their habitat is also decreasing.
Steps taken for the conservation of rhinos in India
- Under the Indian Rhino Mission 2020, a target has been set to increase the rhino population to 3,000 in seven protected areas of Assam.
- The Assam government has constituted a special rhino protection force to monitor rhino poaching and related activities.
Source – PIB
