Project Rhino was launched in 2005 to protect and conserve the rhinos. The Indian Rhino Vision 2020 project aimed to achieve a wild population of at least 3,000 greater one-horned rhinos spread across seven protected areas in the Indian state of Assam by 2020. Kaziranga National Park, Pobitora National Park, Orang National Park, Manas National Park, Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary, Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary, and Dibru Saikhowa Wildlife Sanctuary are the seven protected areas. In this article, we will discuss Project Rhino which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Conservation of Indian Rhino

• The Indian Rhino is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List, with a severely limited population range. According to the World Wide Fund for Nature -India (WWF-India), the population of India rhinos will exceed 3600 by 2020.
• The rhino's most important habitats, the alluvial Terai-Duar savanna and riverine forests, are in decline due to human encroachment.
• Assam's Kaziranga National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary are two of the most well-known Indian Rhino sanctuaries in the country. The Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary has the highest density of Indian rhinos, with 84 individuals spread across 14.98 square miles.
• The following are the main threats to the Rhino population:
  • Degradation of habitat
    • The habitat of Indian rhinos is deteriorating as a result of human activities and natural disasters such as floods, resulting in a large number of deaths.
  • Lack of habitat diversity
    • Because the Indian rhino's population range is limited, with 70% of the population concentrated in a single location - Kaziranga National Park - an unexpected catastrophic event such as disease, natural disaster, or habitat loss will have a severe impact on the Indian rhino's status.
    • Since 1986, rhinos have been moved annually from Chitwan to Bardia and Shuklaphanta National Parks to ensure their survival in the event of an epidemic.
  • Poaching
    • Because rhino horns are a valuable ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, they are under immediate threat from poachers. Between 2013 and 2018, almost 100 rhinos were poached in India.
    • Although it was difficult to breed Indian rhinos in captivity, Indian zoos became adept at the task in the late twentieth century. They have also been bred in foreign zoos, such as the Zoo Basel in Switzerland, where the breeding programme has been a huge success.
    • Other conservation efforts by the Indian government have been largely successful in preserving the remaining populations of Indian rhinos, but poaching remains a constant threat to this day, despite efforts to control it.

Indian Rhino Vision 2020

• The Indian rhino vision 2020 implemented by the Assam Department of Environment and Forests, with The Bodo Autonomous Council as an active partner. WWF-India, WWF areas (Asian rhino and elephant action strategy), the International Rhino Foundation (IRF), zoological institutions worldwide, and a number of local NGOs will support the programme.
• The program's vision is to increase the total rhino foundation in Assam from around 2000 to 3000 by 2020, and to ensure that these rhinos are distributed across at least 7 protected areas (PA) to ensure the long-term viability of the one-horned rhino population.
• Indian Rhino Vision 2020 was an ambitious effort to achieve a wild population of at least 3,000 great one-horned rhinos spread across seven protected areas in the Indian state of Assam by the year 2020.
• Kaziranga, Pobitora, Orang National Park, Manas National Park, Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary, Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary, and Dibru Saikhowa Wildlife Sanctuary are the seven protected areas.
• Translocations from densely populated parks, such as Kaziranga National Park, to parks in need of rhinos, such as Manas National Park, were a critical component of IRV2020.

*For detailed notes on this topic, check this link Indian Rhino Vision 2020.

Indian Rhino Vision 2020 - Goal

• Concentrating so many rhinos in a single protected area, such as Kaziranga, exposes the species to disaster risks (epidemics, floods, massive poaching attempts). Furthermore, rhinos in Pabitora have exceeded carrying capacity, and their numbers must be reduced to protect the habitat and reduce rhino-human conflicts.
• Rhinoceros species: Greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis)
• Anti-poaching activities include monitoring, translocations, and community conservation.
• The IRV 2020 programme relies heavily on translocations.
• The goal was to populate the identified potential rhino habitat areas, namely Manas NP, Dibru Saikhowa WLS, and Laokhowa - Bura Chapori WLS, with a viable rhino population via translocations from Kaziranga NP and Pobitora WLS.
• Manas National Park was chosen as the first location for rhino translocation.
• Since 2008, ten rhinos have been released into Manas. Before the end of the year, ten more rhinos will be relocated from Kaziranga National Park. Translocating rhinos will aid in the establishment of a viable population of this endangered species.

Greater One-Horned Rhino

• The greater one-horned rhino lives in riverine (floodplain) grasslands and adjacent woodland in northern India and southern Nepal.
• The greater one-horned rhino is a grazer. When not grazing on land, animals prefer to immerse themselves in water and graze on aquatic plants.
• Gestation lasts about 15-16 months, and mothers have one calf every 2-3 years.
• Except for females with young, greater one-horned rhinos are usually solitary. Males defend their territories haphazardly.
• Asia is home to three rhino species: Greater one-horned (Rhinoceros unicornis), Javan, and Sumatran.
• Poaching for horns and habitat loss are the two most serious threats to Asia's rhinos' survival.
• The five rhino range countries (India, Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia, and Malaysia) have signed the 'New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos 2019' for the conservation and protection of the species.

Greater One-Horned Rhino

Conclusion

These wild creatures have been listed as endangered on the CITES list since 1986. However, on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List in 2008, Indian Rhinos were listed as vulnerable. The transition from endangered to vulnerable includes a number of stringent measures and policies enacted by the government in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and other non-governmental organizations dedicated to wildlife conservation. Although there has been a significant decrease in the number of poaching cases, the battle is far from over.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which species of rhino is primarily targeted by Project Rhino?

A) Black Rhinoceros
B) Javan Rhinoceros
C) Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros
D) Sumatran Rhinoceros

2. In which national park is the largest population of Indian rhinos found?

A) Manas National Park
B) Jaldapara National Park
C) Kaziranga National Park
D) Jim Corbett National Park

3. Which of the following is NOT a key objective of Project Rhino?

A) Combatting poaching
B) Habitat conservation
C) Promoting international trade of rhino horns
D) Increasing rhino populations

4. What is one of the main reasons for the decline in the Indian rhino population?

A) Climate change
B) Natural predators
C) Poaching for rhino horns
D) Deforestation for agriculture

5. Which technology has been increasingly used under Project Rhino for anti-poaching efforts?

A) Satellites
B) Drones
C) Submarines
D) Electric fences

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the significance of Project Rhino in the context of wildlife conservation in India.

Answer: Project Rhino is a crucial initiative for wildlife conservation in India, focusing on the protection of the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros. The project addresses the key threats to rhinos, such as poaching and habitat loss, through anti-poaching measures, habitat restoration, and community engagement. It has led to a significant increase in rhino populations, especially in Kaziranga National Park, and has successfully involved local communities in conservation efforts. By promoting eco-tourism and alternative livelihoods, the project has helped reduce the dependence of locals on activities harmful to wildlife, such as poaching.

Q2: Analyze the role of community participation in the success of Project Rhino.

Answer: Community participation has been vital to the success of Project Rhino. Local communities have been engaged in conservation efforts through the promotion of eco-tourism and the provision of alternative livelihoods. This has helped reduce poaching, as locals are now economically motivated to protect rather than harm rhinos. Educational programs have raised awareness about the importance of rhino conservation, fostering a sense of responsibility among communities living near rhino habitats. This grassroots approach has strengthened conservation efforts and ensured the long-term sustainability of the project.

Q3: What challenges does Project Rhino face in its conservation efforts, and how can these challenges be addressed?

Answer: Project Rhino faces several challenges, including the persistent threat of poaching, habitat destruction due to human encroachment, and the fragmentation of rhino populations. To address these challenges, there is a need for strengthened law enforcement to deter poachers, enhanced habitat restoration programs, and better monitoring systems using technologies such as drones and GPS tracking. Increased funding and international cooperation are also essential to sustain conservation efforts and protect rhino populations in the long term. Additionally, community engagement should be expanded to ensure more inclusive and effective conservation strategies.

Previous Year Questions on Project Rhino

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2019

Question: Which national park in India is most famous for the conservation of the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros?
A) Jim Corbett National Park
B) Kaziranga National Park
C) Ranthambore National Park
D) Sundarbans National Park

Answer: B

Explanation: Kaziranga National Park in Assam is renowned for its successful conservation of the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros, harboring the largest population of this species in the world.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 3)

Question: Discuss the role of translocation in wildlife conservation with reference to Project Rhino.

Answer: Translocation has played a crucial role in wildlife conservation under Project Rhino, as it helps to reduce population pressure in overcrowded reserves like Kaziranga and allows rhinos to repopulate areas where they had previously become extinct, such as Manas National Park. Translocation also promotes genetic diversity and ensures the long-term survival of the species. However, successful translocation requires careful planning, including habitat suitability assessments and ongoing monitoring to ensure the well-being of the translocated animals.