Reference Base The greater one-horned rhino of Assam is threatened by po... |
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Location: |
Asia - South Asia - India |
Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
Species: |
Indian Rhino |
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Burning the dead, tall grass has always been the main management tool, enabling new shoots to grow and thus maintaining the grassland ecosystem. About 35% of the Park area is burned annually (Lahan, 1993). This requires little money. The creation of more highland for the rhinos is another requirement. During the monsoon, most of the Park is under water from the flooded Brahmaputra. In 1988 the flood was so bad that 46 rhinos died (Deb Roy, 1993). With increasing human settlement outside the Park on the higher land, rhinos have nowhere to take refuge. Furthermore, road communication is reduced in the Park during the floods. Thus, raising the main roads would allow access to patrol vehicles during the rains and produce high ground for the animals. Bridges also must be maintained for mobility within the Park. During our visit these were collapsing, having remained unrepaired since the last flood due to lack of funds. In addition, many of the bodies of water need to be de-silted and cleared of exotic weeds, particularly water hyacinth, in order to improve the grasses, the main food for the rhinos.
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