Guwahati: Assam is a state having a diverse array of plants and animals. Since the one-horned rhinoceros found in Assam’s National Parks are carefully protected, the state has written a success story in the field of rhino conservation. Due to the state’s declining rhino population, this species was formerly a serious victim of poaching.
Since 2016, the State government has been working diligently to preserve the one-horned rhino, a majestic animal that is deeply ingrained in Assamese culture and firmly identified with the state’s identity.
On World Rhino Day, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to Twitter to announce that the state government is committed to protect the magnificent animal and its habitat. “The one-horned rhino, the pride of Assam, occupies a special place in the hearts & minds of our people. A major tourist attraction, it forms a part of Assam’s culture. On #WorldRhinoDay, I reaffirm our Govt’s strong commitment to protect the magnificent animal & its habitat,” the CM said.
“Greetings on the World Rhino Day. @assampolice would continue to be the voice of our friends from animal kingdom. @CMOfficeAssam @assamforest,” Additional DGP (Law & Order) GP Singh also wished on world rhino day.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal also shared a tweet on World Rhino Day. He said, “Greetings on #WorldRhinoDay! Loveable giants, the iconic One Horned Rhino is the pride of India.”
Every year on September 22, people celebrate World Rhino Day to raise awareness about the various rhinoceros species that exist throughout the globe and the threats they face. World Rhino Day provides a forum for a variety of interested parties, including governments, communities, NGOs, wildlife conservation organisations, research facilities, and concerned individuals, to band together and look for innovative ways to end poaching practises and save some critically endangered rhinoceros species from extinction.
In addition to being the third largest animal, the one-horned rhino is a pride of Assam and is one of the rarest and most unusual mammals in the world.
About 85% of the rhino population worldwide resides in the Kaziranga National Park, however some are dispersed throughout national parks in India and Nepal.
The greatest one-horned rhino population in India, with 2,895 rhinos, is found in Assam. Kaziranga National Park (KNP) is home to 2,613 of these rhinos, whereas Manas National Park (50), Orang National Park (125), and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (107), each have a smaller number. Despite 400 fatalities, mostly from natural causes, a four-day rhino census conducted in KNP between March 25 and March 28 2022 revealed an increase of 200 rhinos from the previous year.
The poaching of rhinoceros is a serious danger to the species and a difficult problem for the Assam government. One-horned rhinoceros continue to face major threats from poaching, which involves killing the animals, cutting off their horns, and smuggling the parts. Rhino horns are still employed in several traditional Asian remedies for the treatment of a range of ailments, despite being unlawful and lacking any supporting scientific evidence.