Indian Rhino, Conservation, Threats and Protection Status

Indian Rhinoceros, Conservation, Threats and Protection Status

Indian Rhino, also known as the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros, is a large herbivore found mainly in India and Nepal. Known for its single horn and thick skin, it is a protected species with rising population due to conservation efforts.

Table of Contents

Context: Genetic analysis of 2,573 rhino horn samples has been initiated in Assam to study DNA profiles as part of the RhoDIS India programme, aiding conservation and tracking efforts.

About Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis)

Range: The Indian Rhinoceros (Greater one-horned rhino) can only be found in the Brahmaputra valley, parts of North Bengal, and parts of southern Nepal.
Characteristics: It has a single black horn that can grow up to 60 cm in length, and a tough, grey-brown hide with skin folds, which gives the animal its distinctive appearance.

Rhinos in the wild: There are around 3,700 Indian rhinos in the wild today.
- Kaziranga National Park (KNP) of Assam alone has 2,613 animals.
- There are more than 250 other rhinos in the Orang, Pobitora, and Manas parks of Assam.

Facts related to the Indian Rhino
Common Name	Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros
Scientific Name	Rhinoceros unicornis
Conservation Status	Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)
Population	Around 3,700 globally, with the majority in India and Nepal
Habitat	Primarily found in the floodplains of the Brahmaputra, Ganges, and their tributaries, especially in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park
Key Features	Has a single black horn made of keratin (same as human nails). Primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses, fruits, leaves, and aquatic plants.

Protection Status of Indian Rhino

The Indian Rhino is listed as vulnerable in the IUCN Red List.
It is listed in Appendix 1 of the CITES
Protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

Threats

Poaching: Rhinos are hunted for their horn, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine to cure ailments such as cancer and is also an aphrodisiac.
Fragmentation of habitat: The construction of roads and railways has fragmented protected areas. This prevents rhinos from carrying out their annual migration.
Floods and wildfires: Rhinos inhabit the low-lying grasslands of India. These grasslands are vulnerable to wildfires and annual flooding.
Invasive plants: Many invasive grass species have spread across Rhino habitats. These plants out-compete the native plants on which Rhinos rely for food.
Higher population density: High population density leads to lower breeding rates. This affects the genetic diversity of Rhinos in the long run.

Conservation of Endangered Species Rhino in India

Protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Conservation programs like Project Rhino and Indian Rhino Vision 2020.
Ongoing genetic studies (like RhoDIS India) to track DNA profiles for anti-poaching and conservation planning.
Regular census and translocation efforts in national parks such as Kaziranga, Manas, Pobitora, Orang, and others.

Assam Government’s Efforts to Protect the Indian Rhino

Rhino Protection Force: The government of Assam has set up a Special Rhino Protection Force to keep a check on rhino poaching and related activities at Kaziranga National Park (KNP).
Burning rhino horns: To bust myths about rhino horns, the Assam authorities publicly burnt almost 2,500 rhino horns. This sent a clear message to poachers and smugglers that such items have no value.
Landscape restoration: Developing new areas into Rhino habitats and connecting them with existing protected areas. This will help in increasing the Rhino numbers.
Awareness creation: Local communities are being made stakeholders in Rhino protection. They will act as eyes and ears of the forest department.
Strengthening law enforcement: Laws related to wildlife trade have been strengthened to curb the illegal trade of Rhino horns.

Initiatives to Conserve Indian Rhinos

Indian Rhino Vision 2020

It was launched in 2005 to help the greater one-horned rhino reach a wild population of at least 3000 rhinos.
It is a collaboration between the International Rhino Foundation, Assam’s Forest Department, the Bodoland Territorial Council, World Wide Fund.
The goal of Indian Rhino Vision 2020 is to reduce risks to India’s rhino population by ensuring that the animals are spread throughout seven protected areas of Assam by the year 2020.
Kaziranga, Pobitora, Orang National Park, Manas National Park, Laokhowa wildlife sanctuary, Burachapori wildlife sanctuary and Dibru Saikhowa wildlife sanctuary are the protected areas.

The New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos 2019

The declaration was signed by Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia and Malaysia to increase the population of three species of Asian rhinos, including Indian Rhinos.

Steps to be taken

Undertaking studies on health issues of the rhinos, their potential diseases and taking necessary steps;
Collaborating and strengthening wildlife forensics for investigation purposes;
Strengthening transboundary collaboration among India, Bhutan and Nepal for the conservation and protection of the Greater one-horned rhino.

FAQs

Where is the Indian Rhino found in India?

Indian Rhino is primarily found in Assam (Kaziranga, Pobitora), West Bengal (Jaldapara, Gorumara), and Uttar Pradesh (Dudhwa National Park).

Why is it called the “One-Horned” Rhino?

Unlike African rhinos, which have two horns, the Indian Rhino has a single black horn made of keratin, which can grow up to 60 cm long.

What is the conservation status of the Indian Rhino?

Indian Rhino is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List due to past threats like poaching and habitat loss. However, its population is increasing thanks to conservation efforts.