World Rhino Day 2024

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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