Wildlife Conservation Efforts

Assam records 86% drop in Rhino Poaching since 2016

Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Project Rhino

Why in the News?

Kaziranga National Park and other protected habitats of the one-horned rhinoceros in Assam have witnessed an 86% drop in poaching since 2016.

Reduction in Rhino Poaching

  • From 2000 to 2021, poachers killed 190 rhinos in Assam, with a significant drop occurring after 2016.
  • The announcement was made in a statement marking the celebration of World Rhino Day (22nd September).

About Project Rhino:

Details
Launch Year 2005 (Indian Rhino Vision, 2020)
Objective To achieve a wild population of at least 3,000 Greater One-Horned Rhinos spread over seven protected areas in Assam by 2020.
Habitat Terai floodplains of India and Nepal; currently found in Assam, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.
Partners • Assam Forest Department
• Bodoland Territorial Council
• World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
• International Rhino Foundation (IRF)
• US Fish & Wildlife Service
Key Actions • Translocation of rhinos from Kaziranga and Pobitora to other protected areas (like Manas National Park) to reduce overcrowding.
• Improving protection and security against poaching.
Population Growth • From 2008 to 2012, 18 rhinos were translocated to Manas National Park.
• By 2020, 14 calves were born in Manas after translocation.
Conservation Status • IUCN Status: Vulnerable
• CITES: Appendix I
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
Significance
  • Project has helped distribute the rhino population across multiple protected areas, making them less vulnerable to poaching and ensuring a stable and sustainable population.
  • The population has increased from around 200 in the 1990s to approximately 2,900 today.

 

PYQ:

[2019] Consider the following statements:

  1. Asiatic lion is naturally found in India only.
  2. Double-humped camel is naturally found in India only.
  3. One-horned rhinoceros is naturally found in India only.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

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