The Indian Wildlife authorities believe that the Javan one-homed lesser rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) became extinct by 1900 and its other counterpart the Sumatran two-horned rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) by 1935.
Though scientists say that there are no aphrodisiacal Properties in the rhino horn, poaching continues. Kaziranga Sanctuary officials admitted that 40 rhinos had been killed during the year 1981.
The recent rhino population estimate shows that there are about 1,200 animals in India, and some 960 of them are in Kaziranga alone. Reflecting back, Kaziranga was established as a Sanctuary in 1908, at which time there were about a dozen rhinos in the reserve.
The Government of India's recent plan to translocate a few great Indian rhinos to some other potentially suitable habitat, has caused controversy in North-Eastem Assam State. The great Indian one-homed rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), an animal once at the point of extinction, is still a major attraction for tourists visiting the marshy and difficult Kaziranga Sanctuary of Assam. Regarding the controversy over the translocation scheme, it has been argued that the proposal to translocate the rhino is designed to gradually strip the state of an important tourist attraction. A group of students in their recent protest note to the Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, mentioned that the proposed translocation scheme of what they call 'Assam Rhino' into any other reserve, outside Assam, will 'deprive the people of Assain of an object of their hereditary pride.' The agitated student groups are receiving support from some local politi- cians, 'conservationists', and wildlife officials. The wildlife authorities in New Delhi are surprised at the controvery and feel that the rhino translocation programme is based on sound conservation principles. They say that Kaziranga Sanctuary, whose total area is about 425 kmy , is overstocked with rhinos and some of them must be shifted to new suitable habitats. The experts recornended last year that six rhinos should be lifted out of Kaziranga and introduced into Dudhwa National Park in the Northern State of Uttar Pradesh. A few others could be translocated in later stages into the State Reserves in the Northern part of West Bengal.
In spite of the enforcement of a tough antipoaching law (Indian Wildlife Act, 1972) this magnificent animal is still under severe threat for its horn. The single horn when fully developed may weigh up to 1.5 kg. and can reach 12 in. in length. It is believed that when in powder form, the horn has aphrodisiacal qualities and it is much valued by some groups for this reason. As another example North Yemeni tribesmen take pride in carrying daggers with decorative rhino horn handles.
In spite of the enforcement of a tough antipoaching law (Indian Wildlife Act, 1972) this magnificent animal is still under severe threat for its horn.
The experiment to translocate rhinos into Dudhwa National Park is expected to take place next winter and this could perhaps be the starting point of similar projects involving other endangered Indian species.
In spite of the enforcement of a tough antipoaching law (Indian Wildlife Act, 1972) this magnificent animal is still under severe threat for its horn. The single horn when fully developed may weigh up to 1.5 kg. and can reach 12 in. in length. It is believed that when in powder form, the horn has aphrodisiacal qualities and it is much valued by some groups for this reason. As another example North Yemeni tribesmen take pride in carrying daggers with decorative rhino horn handles. Though scientists say that there are no aphrodisiacal Properties in the rhino horn, poaching continues. Kaziranga Sanctuary officials admitted that 40 rhinos had been killed during the year 1981.
