India’s rhino population on the rise: Report

In what could be considered a bright spot in conservation efforts of vulnerable species, Greater One-Horned Rhi population in India and Nepal, which once numbered as few as 100 in early 1900s, is reportedly on rise.

International Rhi Foundation (IRF), in its annual State of Rhi Report for 2023, released two days ahe of World Rhi Day, attributed rise in one-horned rhi population to strong protection, wildlife crime law enforcement and habitat expansion.

World Rhi Day is celebrated internationally on September 22.

Poaching of rhis in Assam, which is home to majority of one-horned rhi population in India, was rampant in past, but stringent surveillance and or elevated security arrangements being put in place by authorities seem to have dressed issue, according to report.

One-horned rhi

Greater One-Horned Rhi (or "Indian rhi") is largest of rhi species. Once widespre across entire rrn part of Indian subcontinent, rhi populations plummeted as y were hunted for sport or killed as agricultural pests. This pushed species very close to extinction, and by start of 20th century, around 200 wild greater one-horned rhis remained.

one-horned rhi falls under "vulnerable" category in International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list. In India, rhis are found in Assam, parts of West Bengal and Bihar.

" recovery of Greater One-Horned Rhi is among greatest conservation success stories in Asia. Thanks to strict protection and manment from Indian and Nepalese wildlife authorities, greater one-horned rhi was brought back from brink. Today, populations have increased to around 4,000 rhis in rastern India and Terai grasslands of Nepal," said World Wildlife Fund.

(With ANI inputs)