World Rhino Day gets observed every year on 22nd September, aiming to increase awareness about the five species of rhinoceros. The initiative actively promotes the conservation efforts being made to prevent these magnificent creatures from sliding into extinction. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in South Africa first announced this initiative in 2010 due to the challenges such as excessive poaching and habitat loss that these species have been facing for decades.
A Brief Overview of Rhino Species
There are five known species of rhinoceros, including both white and black rhinos found predominantly in Africa. In contrast, the greater one-horned, Javan, and Sumatran rhino species mainly reside in Asia. The IUCN Red List Status of these species varies with the white rhinos labeled as near threatened whereas the black, Javan, and Sumatran rhinos are critically endangered. Finally, the Greater One-Horned Rhino is deemed vulnerable.
World Rhino Day: Theme and Objectives
The theme for World Rhino Day 2021 was “Keep the Five Alive,” an originative expression referring to the five rhino species. The primary objectives of this awareness day include strengthening protective measures, expanding their distribution range, conducting research and monitoring, and ensuring adequate, sustained funding for these conservation efforts.
About the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros
Also referred to as the Indian Rhino, the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros is the biggest among the five rhino species. This species features a distinguishable single black horn and a grey-brown hide embellished with skin folds. India houses the largest population of Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros worldwide. Their diet primarily consists of grasses, leaves, tree shrubs, fruit, and aquatic plants. To date, approximate numbers indicate about 2,600 Indian rhinos residing in India, with over 90% of this population based in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park.
Habitat and Threats
The Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros confines itself to smaller habitats in the Indo-Nepal terai, northern West Bengal, and Assam. In India, these rhinos occupy the Kaziranga National Park (NP), Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS), Orang NP, Manas NP in Assam, along with the Jaldapara NP and Gorumara NP in West Bengal, as well as the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (TR) in Uttar Pradesh. The main threats to their existence include poaching for their horns, habitat loss, high population density, and decreasing genetic diversity.
Protection Status and Conservation Efforts
As per the IUCN Red List, the species is recognized as vulnerable. The information on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) lists it in Appendix-I, whereas the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 enlists it in Schedule I. Several conservation efforts have been made by India, including the New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos 2019, which was signed by India along with Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia, and Malaysia to ensure the species’ conservation and protection. DNA profiles of all rhinos are now being created to help curb poaching and provide evidence in wildlife crimes involving rhinos. The National Rhino Conservation Strategy, launched in 2019, aims to preserve the greater one-horned rhinoceros. Also, the ambitious Indian Rhino Vision 2020 was launched to help attain a wild population of at least 3,000 greater one-horned rhinos spread over seven protected areas in the Indian state of Assam.