World celebrates Rhino Day today

Assam is collectively home to 80% of the global population of greater one-horned rhinos

New Delhi: World Rhino Day is celebrated annually on September 22 to raise awareness about all five rhino species and the urgent need for their conservation.

The day also emphasizes the importance of preserving rhino populations for ecological balance, cultural heritage, and future generations.

It is a call to unite in the fight for rhino conservation worldwide. Indian rhinos are primarily found in protected areas in Assam, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal.

The Indian rhino is the largest of the three Asian species and shares its single horn characteristic with the Javan rhino. The Sumatran rhino, in contrast, has two horns, a trait linking Asian and African.

With over 70% of its population residing in Assam’s Kaziranga, this species stands as a testament to India’s commitment to wildlife preservation.

Assam is collectively home to 80% of the global population of greater one-horned rhinos. This conservation success story is the result of relentless efforts by the forest department and local communities. The rhino population has surged by approximately 170% since the 1980s, growing from 1,500 to over 4,014 today.

Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has reiterated the commitment towards rhino protection on occasion of World Rhino Day.

History of the Day

This day was established by WWF-South Africa in 2010 and has gained international importance. World Rhino Day is an international event celebrated every year on September 22 to raise awareness about the conservation of rhinoceroses.

In India after independence, the Assam Rhino Protection Act of 1954 reinforced these protections. Further, the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 and its Assam amendment in 2009 increased penalties for poaching, introducing harsher sentences, including life imprisonment for repeat offenders, and higher fines to deter illegal activities. The Indian Rhino Vision 2005 program also bolstered conservation efforts.

Globally, rhino species face a precarious future, with populations dropping from around 500,000 in the early 20th century to just over 28,000 today.

Despite conservation successes, rhinos remain threatened by poaching, with nearly 10,000 rhinos killed in the past decade to meet the demand for their horns, prized in traditional medicine and as status symbols.