On occasion of ‘World Rhino Day’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shared an overwhelming post emphasizing the need to protect Rhinos. He has written, “Today, on #WorldRhinoDay, let us reiterate our commitment to protect one of our planet’s most iconic species—rhinos. Compliments to all those involved in rhino conservation efforts over the last many years”.
In his post, he has mentioned India being a home to large number of one-horned rhinos. He has recalled his visit to Kaziranga in Assam, which is regarded as the finest wildlife sanctuary that harbours single largest population of one-horned. Rhinoceros. He has also asked people to visit Kaziranga. “It is a matter of immense pride that India is home to a large number of one horned rhinos. I also fondly recall my visit to Kaziranga in Assam and urge you all to visit there as well”, he added.
World Rhino Day Celebration
World Rhino Day is celebrated on 22nd September of every year to raise awareness about five rhino species. The five species are Sumatran rhino, White rhino, Black rhino, Greater one-horned rhino and Javan Rhino. This day calls for an action to safeguard the rhinos from threats like poaching and habitat loss. It highlights the efforts that are being made to protect and conserve the rhinos across the world. It is being celebrated since 2011. This day is a crucial step in conservation of rhinos. Wildlife enthusiasts, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), experts, conservationists and government around the world celebrate this day. People celebrate this day by organizing awareness programs, classroom projects, poster displays, fundraising activities, auctions etc.
Rhinos In India
Greater one-horned rhino or “Indian rhino” is the largest species of Rhino and India boasts of being the home for this specie. They were once widespread across the northern part of the Indian subcontinent until they were hunted for fun, poached and killed as an agricultural pest. Their continuous killing led them on verge of extinction by the start of the 20th century.
The greater one-horned rhino is identified by a single black horn about 8-25 inches long and a grey-brown hide with skin folds, which gives it an armor-plated appearance. The species is solitary, except when adult males or rhinos nearing adulthood gather at wallows or to graze. Males have loosely defined home ranges that are not well defended and often overlap. They primarily graze, with a diet consisting almost entirely of grasses as well as leaves, branches of shrubs and trees, fruit, and aquatic plants.
Where Can Rhinos Be Seen In India?
In India Rhinos can be found in Kaziranga National Park, Orang National Park and Manas National Park of Assam. Located in Golaghat, Assam Kaziranga National Park is considered home to over two-thirds of the world’s rhinos. It is also a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site. Orang National Park has seen a significant rhino population due to strict protection and habitat management.
Indian Government Projects To Conserve Rhinos
Indian Government has various projects running to conserve and protect the rhinos. These are-
Indian Rhino Vision-2020 (IRV-2020) was launched in 2005 to increase population of rhino in Assam. It aims to increase protection measures for the existing rhino population.
Project Rhino was launched in 2005 to protect one-horned rhinos and aimed to establish larger, safer, and more stable rhino population by relocating them from overcrowded places.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in 2019 launched the “National Conservation Strategy for the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros” with the goal to repopulate Rhinoceros population in those areas also which used to hold the Rhinoceros earlier by augmenting the existing conservation efforts and strengthening them through scientific and administrative measures.
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