MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)
(a) In India, one-horned rhinoceros in wild are found only in the three States viz, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Census of Rhinoceros is undertaken at the State-level by the respective State Governments periodically.
State wise population estimation of one-horned rhinoceros is as follows:
State Year of population estimation Total No. of One-horned rhinoceros
Assam 2018 2650
Uttar Pradesh 2015 34
West Bengal 2019 289
(b) As per the information received from the State Governments, the records of one-horned rhinoceros that perished naturally and killed by poachers are as follows:
State: Assam
Year Naturally perished Killed by Poachers
2009 64 14
2010 75 8
2011 61 12
2012 114 17
2013 83 37
2014 62 32
2015 64 21
2016 105 22
2017 153 9
2018 88 7
2019 (current year) 85 3
State: West Bengal
Year
Naturally perished Killed by Poachers
2010-11 3 0
2011-12 7 0
2012-13 8 0
2013-14 5 0
2014-15 7 6
2015-16 7 2
2016-17 8 0
2017-18 8 3
2018-19 6 1
2019-20 (till 06.12.2019) 3 1
(c) and (d) The existing wildlife protection mechanisms are reviewed by the Government periodically for the protection and conservation of wildlife species.
(e) The problems faced by the Government in ensuring protection to one-horned rhinoceros and other endangered species includes poaching activities, lack of front-line staff, lesser number of sophisticated weapons and communication equipments with forest departments etc.
(f) The steps taken by the Government to prevent the rampant poaching of these endangered animals in various national parks and wildlife sanctuaries includes:
i. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for punishment for violation of its provisions. The Act also provides for forfeiture of any equipment, vehicle or weapon that is used for committing wildlife offence(s).
ii. Arrangement has been made to keep 24 hours surveillance on the parks through Electronic Eye Surveillance System, drones, watch towers.
iii. Number of anti-poaching camps have been increased to effective surveillance in and around National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
iv. Joint operation by Forest, Police and STF is also conducted regularly to nab the suspected poachers and joint patrolling is carried out regularly.
v.Communication and wireless network have been strengthened.
vi.One-horned Rhinoceros is one of the 21 species identified for Recovery programme for critically endangered species, a component under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of ‘Development of Wildlife Habitats’. Under this scheme Central assistance is provided for the recovery and protection of these species.
vii.Most of the rhino habitats in three states are covered under Tiger Reserves. The funds provided under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of ‘Project Tiger’ for protection and conservation of tigers in these states also provides protection and conservation to other animals including one-horned Rhinoceros. For other Protected Areas having rhino population, financial assistance is provided under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Development of Wildlife Habitats’.
viii. Coordination amongst various parallel law enforcement agencies like the Police, BSF, Customs, SSB etc.
ix.Liasioning with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau for information sharing and preventing wildlife crime.
x.Training and awareness camps for JFMCs and local villagers.
xi.Provision of arms and ammunitions to the staff involved in protection work.
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