The big success story of Indian rhino conservation

Those of us who’ve had the experience of watching the majestic greater one-horned rhino, or Indian rhinoceros, in its natural habitat have been amazed by its size and power. However, this animal, resembling a prehistoric creature, was precariously poised on the brink of extinction at the turn of the 20th century. As per some estimates, there were just 200 living Indian rhinos roaming the wild during that time, the once-large population decimated by factors like poaching and habitat loss. 

Cut to 2021, and the target of ensuring that over 2,900 rhinos populate seven protected areas of Assam was achieved. That was a tremendous success. Going forward the goal is to ensure that the population of rhinos in Assam reaches between 4,500 and 5,000. What’s enabled such an effective conservation rate? Let’s take a look at some of the programmes envisaged for the sake of protecting this prized animal, which was given the status of an endangered species in 1986.

Indian Rhino Vision 2020 

In 2005, the Government of Assam in partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) took on the Indian Rhino Vision (IRV 2020) which aimed to achieve a population of 3,000 wild rhinos in the seven protected areas of Assam – Manas national park, Laokhowa wildlife sanctuary, Burachapori wildlife sanctuary, Kaziranga, Pobitora, Orang national park and Dibru Saikhowa wildlife sanctuary – by 2020. The translocation of rhinos between wildlife sanctuaries was also an essential part of this project. 

In 2021, the IRV 2020 came to a close, after successfully achieving its goals. The reintroduction of the rhino population in the Manas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, through wild-to-wild translocations was among one of the striking achievements of this project. 

“The programme in Assam has helped revive the Manas National Park in a holistic way since it was initiated in 2005. As per estimates in 2022 we have a rhino population of 50 compared to zero rhinos in 2005,” Amit Sharma, National Lead, Rhino Conservation and One Health, WWF India, told Village Square.

Sharma added that WWF-India looks forward to strengthening and continuing this collaboration to take ahead the achievements made under IRV 2020 and move towards the next stage. 

Meanwhile, the International Rhino Foundation intends to continue its work with the Assam government to increase the rhino population and enhance conservation measures. This will result in a new strategy, called IRV 2.0, which aims to manage a minimum of three meta-populations with a total population of 4,500–5,000 greater one-horned rhinos in Assam by 2030. 

National Rhino Conservation Strategy 

Speaking of the challenges being faced in rhino conservation efforts, Sharma listed poaching and habitat loss (both grasslands and wetlands) as the major issues. Health issues in rhinos and the rise of disease occurrence, especially with zoonotic agents emerging and spreading, are also factors to contend with. 

“To address these challenges we need a national action plan for conservation of the species backed by resources. We have a National Rhino Conservation Strategy which was adopted in 2019 and I would like to thank the Government of India for putting in place the very first such strategy for rhinos in the Indian context,” Sharma said. “It is now time to review and update the strategy as necessary and dedicated funds are made available to the rhino-bearing states in India to strengthen rhino conservation in the country,” he added.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change initiated the said National Rhino Conservation Strategy to repopulate the rhinoceros population in certain target areas by supplementing conservation efforts through scientific and administrative measures. It is a plan to pave the way for the long-term conservation of rhinos, and calls for greater engagement between India and Nepal for the conservation of the animal. 

Community engagement and initiatives

Through effective mobilisation efforts, local youth and communities in Assam have been involved in monitoring and patrolling protected areas. Local businesses are also encouraged and supported so communities can gain direct benefits from wildlife tourism. 

Aaranyak, an NGO working for rhino conservation, is one of the organisations actively involved in the region, spreading conservation education and awareness among local communities to promote peaceful coexistence with wildlife. These initiatives engage people from various age groups, including school and college students, village heads, influential individuals and women’s groups. 

For instance, Aaranyak has designed a conservation awareness promotion programme called ‘Rhino Goes to School’ to educate school students about rhinos. Further, one of their effective habitat conservation initiatives includes the restoration of grassland habitat in the Orang National Park by physical removal of invasive species. 

“There are multiple stakeholders involved in the conservation of the greater one-horned rhinos, and Aaranyak has played a crucial role over the past 35 years,” Dr. Deba Kumar Dutta, senior manager, Rhino Research and Conservation Division, told Village Square. “Research, policy advocacy and need-based support provided by Aaranyak have significantly improved the management of the species.” 

The organisation now plans to expand ground research on rhino behaviour, habitat and impact of climate change as well as efforts to combat poaching, Dutta added.

The way forward

Rhino conservation projects in India have proved to be vibrant examples of successful collaborations between the governments, civil society and local communities. Indian rhinos, once on the brink of extinction, are now widely found in their historically protected areas. 

The journey, however, is far from over, as activities like hunting and poaching continue. Through heightened conservation efforts, awareness initiatives and a sense of shared responsibility towards the rich biodiversity of the planet, we can work towards an even brighter future for Indian rhinoceros. 

The lead image on top shows the greater one-horned rhino in its natural habitat. (Photo from Wikimedia Commons)

Aditi Sahoo is a third-year BA student at Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi. She is currently pursuing her internship in content writing and management at Village Square.