The Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has initiated a unique project with the objective to create DNA profiles of all rhinos living across the country. By 2021, every Indian rhino will have its DNA-sequence available, making it the first wild animal species in India to achieve this feat. This project is part and parcel of Centre’s ongoing endeavor for rhino conservation.
Objectives of the Project
There are multiple benefits expected from this initiative. One of the key objectives is to control poaching activities by keeping track of the rhinos through their unique DNA profiles. Additionally, these DNA profiles will provide crucial evidence, facilitating investigations pertaining to wildlife crimes involving rhinos.
Execution of the Project
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII), based in Dehradun, will host the comprehensive database containing the DNA profiles. The current focus of the project is primarily on Indian rhinos or the Greater one-horned rhinos as they are commonly known.
Rhinos’ Status in Asia
Broadly, there are three species of rhino in Asia – Greater one-horned, Javan, and Sumatran. Among these, the Javan and Sumatran Rhino are marked as critically endangered species, while the Greater one-horned (or Indian) rhino is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. These species inhabit in countries like India, Nepal, Bhutan, Indonesia, and Malaysia, collectively referred to as the Asian Rhino Range Countries. However, only the Greater one-horned rhino is indigenous to India.
| Species | Status |
|---|---|
| Greater One-Horned (Indian) Rhino | Vulnerable |
| Javan Rhino | Critically Endangered |
| Sumatran Rhino | Critically Endangered |
Indian Rhinos’ Population
The current population of Indian rhinos in India is approximately 2,600. A large portion of these rhinos, more than 90%, lives in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park.
National Rhino Conservation Strategy
This strategy highlights the need for India and Nepal to cooperate actively in conserving the Greater one-horned rhinoceros. The single rhino population in Sukla-Phanta (Nepal), Valmiki Tiger Reserve (India), Chitwan National Park (Nepal), and Dudhwa (India), separated by just a political boundary, should be managed under a common protocol instead of treating them as separate populations. Additionally, the strategy calls for expanding the rhinos’ distribution range to mitigate risks associated with the majority of the population being concentrated in a single protected area. Consequently, the conservation of existing and potential rhino habitats becomes a national priority.
Indian Rhino Vision 2020
Launched in 2005, Indian Rhino Vision 2020 was an ambitious attempt to increase the wild population of greater one-horned rhinos to at least 3,000, spread over seven protected areas in Assam, by the end of 2020. These areas include Kaziranga, Pobitora, Orang National Park, Manas National Park, Laokhowa wildlife sanctuary, Burachapori wildlife sanctuary, and Dibru Saikhowa wildlife sanctuary. This project was a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders such as the International Rhino Foundation, Assam’s Forest Department, Bodoland Territorial Council, World Wide Fund – India, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
