Rhino Population Increasing

Rhinos population rises by 200 in four years, reveals Kaziranga’s census

Kaziranga National Park, Assam on March 30, 2022, announced that the National Park has registered an increase in rhinos. The National Park completed 14th Rhino Census conducted from March 25 to 28, 2022. According to the Census, there has been an increase of 200 rhinos from 2018 despite 400 dying mainly due to natural causes.

In 2018 Census the rhino population was estimated to be 2,413. The increase in the animal population can be attributed to the increased anti-poaching initiatives of the forest department, police inspections, coordinated efforts of the locals and the forest authorities, and the Government’s vigilance.

Findings of the Census

According to the 14th Rhino Census, Kaziranga National Park has a total of 2,613 rhinos. Of this, in the adult category (above 6 years) there are 750 males, 903 females, and 170 others whose gender could not be determined. Similarly, in the sub-adult population (3 to 6 years), there are 116 male rhinos, 146 females, and 103 in the undetermined gender category.

Furthermore, there are 279 juveniles (1 to 3 years of age) and 146 calves (0 to 1 year of age). Altogether, there are 1,823 adults, 365 sub-adults, 279 juveniles, and 146 calves, taking the total to 2,613.

On March 28, a sample survey was conducted in 26 compartments selected randomly. Further, 64 enumerators, 12 independent observers, 49 media observers participated in the exercise. The enumerators also used GPS and binoculars for better observation. Also, for the first time, drone technology was also used for sample recheck.

Conservation efforts

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change launched the “National Conservation Strategy for the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros” intending to repopulate the rhinoceros population. The programme has also been implemented in areas that held the rhinos earlier by augmenting the existing conservation efforts and strengthening them through scientific and administrative measures.

One-horned rhinos are among the 21 species identified for the Recovery programme for critically endangered species by the Ministry. The Indian Rhino Vision (IRV) 2020 programme implemented in Assam helped in restocking the rhino population.

Furthermore, initiatives have also been undertaken by the State Governments like West Bengal and Bihar that are working for the reintroduction of the rhinoceros in the areas which used to hold the rhino populations till a few decades back.

Rhino poaching reduced over the year
To tackle the challenge of poaching of rhinos, a huge campaign was launched in the last seven years with the special efforts of the Assam government. Between 2000 and 2012, a total of 82 rhinos were poached in the state. In 2021, only one case of rhino poaching was reported from Kaziranga National Park, when the carcass of an adult male rhino was found with a missing horn. However, the number of hunting cases has seen a decline over the years in the state. The numbers further decreased to 17 in 2015, and further to 7 in 2018. In the past 3 years i.e, 2019, 2020, and 2021, only 3, 2, and 1 cases were reported respectively.

PM Narendra Modi had previously also commended Assam’s effort in rhino conservation when on the occasion of World Rhino Day, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had directed to burn the stockpile of 2,479 single-horned rhinos.

Rhinos are often hunted due to the myth that rhino horns have medicinal value and can be used for medicinal purposes. The declining numbers are a result of forest officials’ efforts and the Government’s initiatives. The State Government has also formed Anti-Poaching Task Force (APTF) to keep a check on rhino poaching in Kaziranga National Park.