22 September 2020.
Introduction:
Every year on September 22, World Rhinoceros Day is celebrated across the world. The World Rhinoceros Day was announced by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in 2010. The day celebrates the animal and encourages people to take steps for its conservation.This is especially true for 5 species of Rhinos living in Asia and Africa.
Highlights:
- The first rhino day was celebrated in 2010 by WWF South Afirca.
- Theme for year 2020 is- Five Rhino Species Forever.
- IUCN Status:
- Javan rhinos- critically endangered.
- Sumatran rhinos- critically endangered.
- Black rhinos-critically endangered.
- White rhinos- near threatened.
- Greater one horned rhinos- vulnerable.
World Rhino Day in India:
- Environment minister Prakash Javadekar presided over a meeting and remarked that “India is home to the largest number of Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros in the world with its population in the range of 3000 animals in the States of Assam, West Bengal & UP.
- moefcc has launched a ‘National Conservation Strategy for Indian One-Horned Rhino.
About National Conservation Strategy for Indian One- Horned Rhino:
- The strategy includes conservation of Greater one horned rhinoceros in India as well as in Nepal.
- The strategy follow the same protocol to manage the population of rhinos in Valmiki Tiger Reserve in India, Shuklaphanta in Nepal and Chitwan National Park in Nepal and Dudhwa that are separated by political boundary.
- Further, the conservation initiatives for rhino has also enriched the grassland management thus it will help in reducing the negative impacts of climate change through carbon sequestration.
Indian Rhino Vision 2020.
Launched in 2005, Indian Rhino Vision 2020 is an ambitious effort to attain a wild population of at least 3,000 greater one-horned rhinos spread over seven protected areas in the Indian state of Assam by the year 2020.
Intersting Facts about Rhinos:
- Rhinos have very poor eyesight. However, their poor eyesight in compensated by other senses. Rhinos can smell and hear people even when they are 30 metres away.
- Rhino horn comprises keratin. Keratin is a protein which forms the basis of human hair and nails.
- The African rhinoceros has a symbiotic relationship with oxpeckers. The bird sits on the back of rhinos and eats ticks. The bird also raises an alarm when it senses danger.
- A group of rhinoceros is referred to as a crash. Male rhinos are called bulls while females are called cows.
- Rhinos mark their territories by defecating around them.