Five Asian Countries Collaborate to Increase Rhino Protection

 Last Updated: 07 Mar, 2019 By Swati Mishra

Recognising the critical situation with concern to the protection of Asian Rhinos, the good news is finally here. The five Asian countries including India, Bhutan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Nepal have signed a declaration ‘The New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos 2019’ to augment Rhino protection measures including the greater one-horned rhinoceros that are found in the Indian subcontinent. Also, the declaration is signed to review the population of one-horned rhinos and the protection of critically endangered rhino species including Javan and Sumatran Rhinos keeping in view the latest rhino poaching statistics. The declaration will help in reassessing the need for joint actions to provide a safe haven to these rhinoceros in every four years.

In Case You Didn’t Know

With having a more armoured look, Asian Rhinos comprises of one-horned rhino, the Javan and Sumatran. Despite of having a hefty appearance, the greater one-horned rhino and Javan rhino have one horn, while the Sumatran rhino has two. They all might look tough but the only concern is these Asian Rhinos need a lot of protection right now. All thanks to the years of successful efforts of rhino conservation in Asia because of which the condition of the greater one-horned rhino is slowly recovering, but they all are at risk from the rising threat for rhino poaching and loss of habitat. For instance, Sumatran rhino have been reduced by 70% since the year 1990 and talking about the Javan Rhinos, they became extinct in the year 2010.

Salient Features of The Strategy to Save the Asian Rhinos

• This innovative solution is to collaborate and strengthen the wildlife forensic to gather strategic information on rhino crime and secure the population of these creatures between the five Asian range countries.
• To take appropriate steps in managing the habitats of the Asian Rhinos.
• To look into the possibility of expanding rhino range within the country or among the rhino range countries for better population management.
• India, Nepal and Bhutan to strengthen the transboundary collaboration for greater one-horned rhino conservation and protection.
• To keep the international boundaries functional, safe and secure for free movement of the Asian Rhinos and other wildlife.
• To undertake the studies on health issues and potential diseases of the rhinos and take necessary steps for it.
• To make the best use of technologies and accelerate natural and conservation breeding of critically endangered Sumatran Rhino.

Organised by the environment, forest and climate change ministry in collaboration with IUCN Asian Rhino Specialist Group, WWF- India and Aaranyak, the meet aims to come up with a positive result in securing the future of Asian Rhinos. On this, the Union Environment Minister of India Harsh Vardhan affirmed India’s commitment towards the conservation of one-horned Rhino along with other two critically endangered Rhinos.

Published: 05 Mar, 2019By Swati Mishra