India’s Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros, a majestic and iconic species, holds a significant place in the rich tapestry of India’s wildlife heritage. With its imposing presence and distinctive single horn, this species, also known as the Indian rhinoceros, has long captured the imagination of nature enthusiasts and conservationists alike. The India Rhino Vision (IRV) 2020 initiative stands as a beacon of hope for the conservation of these magnificent creatures. Launched with the ambitious goal of ensuring the survival and thriving population of the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros in the wild, IRV 2020 represents a collaborative effort between governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and local communities. Through innovative strategies and dedicated conservation efforts, IRV 2020 seeks to secure the future of the Indian rhinoceros while simultaneously fostering harmony between wildlife conservation and sustainable development in the region.
GREATER ONE-HORNED RHINO
- The greater one-horned rhino thrives in riverine (floodplain) grasslands and adjacent woodlands in northern India and southern Nepal.
- Being grazers, greater one-horned rhinos prefer riverine grasslands and adjacent woodlands for feeding. They also immerse themselves in water, grazing on aquatic plants.
- The gestation period for greater one-horned rhinos lasts about 15-16 months, and mothers typically give birth to one calf every 2-3 years.
- Except for females with young, greater one-horned rhinos are usually solitary, while males haphazardly defend their territories.
- Asia is home to three rhino species: the Greater one-horned (Rhinoceros unicornis), Javan, and Sumatran.
- The survival of Asia’s rhinos faces two significant threats: poaching for their horns and habitat loss.
The five rhino range countries, namely India, Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia, and Malaysia, have collectively signed the ‘New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos 2019,’ demonstrating their commitment to the conservation and protection of these species.
IRV- 2020 PROGRAM
- The Indian Rhino Vision (IRV) 2020 program, a collaborative effort between WHO-India, aimed at safeguarding and augmenting the population of the one-horned rhinoceros, contributes significantly to biodiversity and the well-being of ecosystems.
- Notably, in 2008, this Indian rhino species achieved the distinction of being the sole large mammal in Asia to transition from the endangered to the vulnerable category on the IUCN Red List.
- Launched in 2005, the IRV 2020 campaign concluded in April 2021 with the primary objective of establishing a thriving population of 3000 wild rhinos across seven protected areas (PAs) in Assam by 2020.
- These seven protected areas encompass Kaziranga, Pobitora, Orang National Park, Manas National Park, Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary, Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary, and Dibru Saikhowa Wildlife Sanctuary.
- A pivotal aspect of IRV 2020 involved the strategic translocation of rhinos from densely populated parks like Kaziranga National Park to parks with a deficit of rhino population, such as Manas National Park.
- Various organizations played integral roles in this initiative, including the International Rhino Foundation, Assam’s Forest Department, the Bodoland Territorial Council, World Wide Fund – India, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
VISION
The program aspires to elevate the overall rhino population in Assam from approximately 2000 to 3000 by 2020. This envisioned increase involves strategically distributing these rhinos across a minimum of seven protected areas (PAs), a crucial step aimed at securing the long-term viability of the one-horned rhino population.
PURPOSE
- The conservation efforts for rhinos in Assam have consistently encountered significant challenges and setbacks.
- The concentration of a large number of rhinos in a single protected area, such as Kaziranga, poses potential risks to the species, including the threat of disasters such as epidemics, floods, and extensive poaching attempts.
- In the case of the rhino population in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, it had surpassed its carrying capacity, necessitating a reduction in numbers to protect the species and mitigate the escalating human-rhino conflicts.
- During the 1990s, inadequate law and order had detrimental consequences for the rhino population in Manas National Park, resulting in a substantial decline.
- Similarly, Laokhowa faced the extinction of the species due to poaching, and Orang was also under threat, highlighting the persistent challenges in the conservation of rhinos in various regions of Assam.
PERFORMANCE
- The objective of reintroducing 3,000 rhinos has nearly been achieved, with successful reintroduction occurring in only one of the four initially planned protected areas.
- Unfortunately, the plan to distribute the Greater one-horned rhino across the additional four protected areas, beyond Kaziranga National Park, Orang National Park, and Pobitora, did not come to fruition.
- The translocated rhinos played a crucial role in assisting Manas National Park in regaining its World Heritage Site status in 2011.
- Despite the challenges faced in expanding their distribution, the success in Manas National Park had a positive impact on the overall conservation efforts.
- In a noteworthy development, there was a significant decrease in poaching incidents in 2018 and 2019.
- This positive trend was attributed to the collaborative efforts of forestry, local, and national government officials who coordinated their actions to combat wildlife crime throughout Assam.
IRV- 2020 CURRENT STATUS
- Indian Rhino Vision 2020 concluded on April 13, 2021, marking the eighth round of rhino translocations with the relocation of two rhinos from Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary to Manas National Park in Assam.
- The program successfully achieved its goal of establishing a rhino population of 3,000 in Assam.
- Rhinos are now thriving in four Assam Protected Areas: Pobitora Wildlife Reserve, Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park, Kaziranga National Park, and Manas National Park.
- However, the plan to extend the rhino population beyond these four areas did not materialize.
- In 2017, the program celebrated its third generation in Manas as Ganga, a female rhino that arrived in Manas in 2007, gave birth to a male calf.
- With the recent translocation and several births, the rhino population in Manas has grown to 42.
- As part of the translocation program, Manas National Park received 22 rhinos from other protected areas.
- This relocation played a pivotal role in assisting Manas in regaining its World Heritage Site status in 2011.
- The collaborative efforts of forestry, local, and national government officials to combat wildlife crime in Assam yielded positive results, leading to a significant decrease in poaching incidents in 2018 and 2019.
FAQs – INDIAN RHINO VISION 2020
1-Where does the greater one-horned rhino thrive?
The greater one-horned rhino thrives in riverine (floodplain) grasslands and adjacent woodlands in northern India and southern Nepal.
2-What is the preferred habitat of greater one-horned rhinos for feeding?
Being grazers, greater one-horned rhinos prefer riverine grasslands and adjacent woodlands for feeding. They also immerse themselves in water, grazing on aquatic plants.
3-How often do greater one-horned rhinos give birth?
The gestation period for greater one-horned rhinos lasts about 15-16 months, and mothers typically give birth to one calf every 2-3 years.
4-Are greater one-horned rhinos social animals?
Except for females with young, greater one-horned rhinos are usually solitary, while males defend their territories in a haphazard manner.
5-How many rhino species are there in Asia?
Asia is home to three rhino species: the Greater one-horned (Rhinoceros unicornis), Javan, and Sumatran.
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