In-Brief: About Asian Rhinos

News Summary

• Five Asian Rhino–range countries have signed the New Delhi Declaration on protection and conservation of Asian Rhino population:
  • India
  • Nepal
  • Bhutan
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
• Three types of Asian Rhinos include

1. Greater one-horned Rhino in India, Nepal and Bhutan
2. Javan Rhino
3. Sumatran Rhino

New Delhi Declaration: Rhino Conservation Strategy

• Trans-boundary collaboration between India, Nepal and Myanmar for Greater one-horned Rhino conservation in line with India’s National Rhino Conservation Strategy.
• Landscape-level conservation by connecting Sukla-Phanta (Nepal) and Valmiki tiger reserve (India) and Chitwan National Park (Nepal) and Dudhwa (India) to manage under the same protocol.
• Review of population of 3 Asian rhino species every four years.
• Strengthening the protection regimes with technology-based wildlife forensics.
• Real-time sharing of intelligence on rhino crime and its horn trade.
• Expansion of rhino habitat within and between rhino range countries for optimal population management.
• Connecting the rhino-corridors across international boundaries.

In-Brief: About Asian Rhinos

Greater one-horned Rhino (Indian Rhino)

• It is the largest of the rhino species.
• It has been accorded with ‘Vulnerable Status’ in the IUCN Red List.
• Indian Rhino is an amphibious species and an excellent swimmer.
• It is a herbivorous animal feeding on grasses, leaves, branches, fruit, and aquatic plants.

Habitat

• Indian Rhino is a herbivorous species found in Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands.
• Indian Rhino population is restricted to Indo-Nepal terai region, northern West Bengal and Assam.
• The main sanctuaries of Indian Rhino are:
  • Assam
  • Kaziranga National Park (70% of world’s population)
  • Pobitara Wildlife sanctuary
  • Orang National Park,
  • Manas National Park Assam
• West Bengal
  • Jaldapara National Park
  • Garumara National Park
• Uttar Pradesh
  • Dudhwa Tiger Reserve
• Nepal
  • Royal Chitwan National Park
  • Sukla-Phanta

Threats

• Poaching due to demand in international trade for horn.
• Habitat destruction due to land-use change.
• Concentration of rhino population in one protected area, viz
• Political boundaries constricting natural boundary.
• Other threats including diseases and natural disaster.

Conservation Efforts

• Indian Rhino Vision 2020 was launched in 2005 aimed at increasing the rhino population to 3000 by 2020.
• Translocation of species from Kaziranga to Manas.
• Training in new patrolling methods.
• Recently India launched the National Rhino Conservation Strategy 2019 calling for active engagement between India and Nepal.
• Now the Delhi Declaration for Asian Rhino conservation and protection

Sumatran and Javan Rhino

• Sumatran and Javan Rhinos have been accorded the ‘Critically Endangered’ Status under IUCN Red List.
• Javan Rhino are only about 60 in number concentrated in Unjung Kulon National Park near Jakarta in Javan island of Indonesia.
  • Earlier they were found in Cat Tien National Park in Vietnam where it is extinct now.
• Sumatran Rhino are the smallest among Asian Rhinos.
  • There are about 300 of this species left in Indonesia and Malaysia where it is extinct in the wild.
  • They are only Asian Rhino species with 2 horns.