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Context: 

Kaziranga and other protected habitats of the one-horned rhinoceros in Assam recorded an 86% drop in poaching of the herbivore since 2016. 

What is poaching?

Poaching of animals means an illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals. It is associated with land use rights. 

It is considered a crime against wildlife. It results in the depletion of certain species of animals. In this, those animals are killed which possess something valuable.

Poaching in Kaziranga

Poaching is a major issue in Kaziranga National Park. The poachers killed 190 rhinos between 2000 and 2021. 

However, there has been an 86% drop in poaching of the herbivore since 2016. 

More than 2,850 rhinos were recorded during the last census of the animal in 2022. 

Why are Rhinos poached?

Rhinos are poached for their horns, which are used in traditional medicine, as a status symbol, and for decoration.

Traditional medicine:

Rhino horn is used in traditional Asian medicine to treat a variety of illnesses, including rheumatism, fever, pain, cancer, and hangovers.

Status symbol:

Rhino horn is used as a status symbol to display success and wealth.

Decoration:

Rhino horn is used to make jewellery, drinking vessels, and the handles of ceremonial weapons.

Efforts are taken to prevent Rhino poaching:

International efforts

The international trade in rhino horn has been banned by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora) since 1977. It is also listed as a CITES Appendix I animal.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is working with TRAFFIC on the Wildlife Crime Initiative to investigate, expose and crack down on poaching and the illegal trade in rhino horn – and reduce demand.

Efforts in India

The Indian rhinoceros is given the highest protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, of 1972. 

Union government is helping to expand protected areas, create new ones, connect isolated rhino habitats and increase security in these areas;

Centre is also promoting wildlife-based tourism that helps fund conservation efforts and gives local communities an income from living alongside wildlife.

The Project Rhino platform ensures that efforts to protect white and black rhino populations are coherent and avoid duplication of work. It collaborates with anti-poaching and wildlife economy initiatives throughout southern Africa to share strategies and best practices.

In an attempt to prevent the rhino poaching, the state government and Bodoland Territorial Council, with support from the International Rhino Foundation (IRF), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), launched a programme, the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV-2020), in 2005. It has achieved its target of attaining a population of 3,000 rhinos in Assam.

The Kaziranga Model Wildlife officials in Assam said the ‘Kaziranga model’ has become a template for conservation in many rhino-bearing areas across the globe. A commando-like special protection force has been deployed in the area. A “zero-tolerance policy” has been adopted at the park towards poaching. Surveillance camps in every 5.82 sq. km have been established. The Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve has 233 anti-poaching camps, each manned by three to five personnel.

Important articles for reference:

One Horned Rhino

Kaziranga National Park

Rhino Census 

All about CITES: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/cites

All about WWF: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/earth-hour#:~:text=The%20World%20Wide%20Fund%20for,human%20impact%20on%20the%20environment.

2024 Wildlife Crime Report: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/2024-world-wildlife-crime-report

Sources:

https://epaper.thehindu.com/ccidist-ws/th/th_delhi/issues/100566/OPS/GHCDC72O1.1+GJUDC8Q5K.1.html

https://www.savetherhino.org/rhino-info/threats/poaching-rhino-horn/

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Citing the issues of Rhinoceros poaching in India, analyse the reasons for Rhino poaching and the steps taken by India to address the issue. Discuss how India can address the issue of animal poaching in India. ( 250 words)