World Rhino Day

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.