UPSC Articles
World Rhino Day
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Environment; Biodiversity; Conservation
In news
- World Rhino Day was celebrated on September 22.
- Objective: Generating awareness about the threats faced by Rhinoceroses all over the world.
Important value additions
- World Rhino Day was first announced by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) – South Africa in 2010.
- It celebrates all five species of rhino – Black, white, greater one-horned, Sumatran and Javan rhinos.
- It also generates awareness of issues regarding their well-being.
- Threats: Poaching, urbanization and pollution.
- It is the only large mammal species in Asia to be down-listed from endangered to vulnerable in the IUCN Red list in 2008.
Do you know?
- Indian Environment Ministry has launched the National Rhino Conservation Strategy in 2019 to conserve the greater one-horned rhinoceros.
- This is a first of its kind for the species in India which aims to work for the conservation of the species.
- Objectives: (1) Strengthening protection; (2) Expanding the distribution range; (3) Research and monitoring; (4) Adequate and sustained funding.
- India is home to the largest number of Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros in the world
- Its population is in the range of 3000 animals in Assam, West Bengal and UP.