World Rhino Day is celebrated annually on September 22 to raise awareness about the Rhinoceros and the urgent need for their conservation

Significance of the World Rhino Day

• World Rhino Day is celebrated by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and other international organizations.
• The day was first announced by WWF-South Africa in 2010 to raise awareness and funds for the five species of rhinos.

Facts About Rhinos

• Related to Horses and Zebras: Rhinos are part of the same group of odd-toed ungulates, making them relatives of horses and zebras.
• Horn Made of Keratin: Rhino horns are composed of keratin, the same protein found in human hair and nails.
• Long Gestation: Female rhinos have a gestation period of about 16 months.
• Traditional Medicine: Rhino horns are used in traditional medicine, driving illegal poaching despite a lack of proven benefits.

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About One-Horned Rhino

• One among the 5 different species of Rhino
• Significance :Largest of the rhino species.
• Only rhino species found in India
• Naturally found in Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, and India
• Habitat: Assam, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh
• Protected Areas: Pobitora Wildlife Reserve, Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park,Kaziranga National Park, and Manas National Park.
• Protection Status 
• • IUCN Red List – Vulnerable.
  • CITES – Appendix I
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 – Schedule I

Conservation Efforts

• 5 Rhino range nations (India, Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia and Malaysia) signed  ‘The New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos 2019’
• Project Rhino is an initiative that aims to protect India’s rhino population. 
  • It focuses on preventing poaching, improving habitats, and raising public awareness.
  • The project collaborates with conservation groups and government agencies to ensure rhino survival.
• National Rhino Conservation Strategy was launched in 2019
• Indian Rhino Vision 2020 aim was to  increase the wild rhino population to 3,000 by 2020, spread across seven protected areas in Assam.
• Population Growth – Rhino population growth in Assam from the 1960s (600 rhinos) to 2024 (over 4,000 rhinos). 
• Global Rhino Population in Greater Kaziranga – 70% of the global population of greater one-horned rhinos species resides in Kaziranga.

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