The Sanctuary named as such in the early thirties of the present century, has had during its existence an extremely chequered career. Poaching was rampant in the same decade. Swarms of Assamese and Mech poachers, locally known as 'Palawans' crossed over into Bengal, and using cheap Bhutan made Muzzle loading guns thinned the Rhino population to such an extent that at one period not more than a dozen animals were believed to have been in the area. The Rhino, however, has managed to hold its own against severe odds and with the renewed interest in its welfare shown by the Government and sportsmen since Independence has considerably increased in number. A rough estimate of the population at the moment would be about fifty, which, considering the small area of the sanctuary can be deemed satisfactory. It is doubtful if it can support a larger population, since the cantankerous nature of the Bull and the numerous fights which develop as a result causes quite a number of deaths. These fights usually start over the favours of a female during the breeding season. In recent years quite a number of Rhino calves have been seen in the sanctuary. Rhinos feed mostly at night, normally on grass and the type of food mentioned earlier, but in areas where cultivation adjoins the sanctuary, they do feed off paddy and other crops when these are in season. During the day they retire to the thickest cover within the'Sanctuary.
1957, ca. 50
The Rhino, however, has managed to hold its own against severe odds and with the renewed interest in its welfare shown by the Government and sportsmen since Independence has considerably increased in number. A rough estimate of the population at the moment would be about fifty, which, considering the small area of the sanctuary can be deemed satisfactory.
The main Sanctuary in West Bengal is the Jaldapara Game Sanctuary situated in the Eastern Dooars, and broadly speaking, bordering Cooch Behar in the South, Bhutan in the North and Assam in the East. It is comprised partly of the Madarihat range of the Jalpaiguri Forest Division and parts of the Nilpara and Chilapatta ranges of the Buxa Forest Division. The total area of the Sanctuary is about 40 square miles mostly composed of riverain forests spread over abandoned courses of the Toorsa river and its tributaries south of the Nilpara-Madarihat road. Possessing ideal cover for the Rhinoceros, being overgrown with tall grass and reeds, with several low lying isolated swamps, this type of country grows the favourite food of the Rhino, wild ginger and the tender shoots of marsh reeds.
It remains to be seen whether the Rhino will survive against the necessary and imaginary needs of man. The sanctuary situated in the middle of cultivated and arable land, with private holdings abutting into it cannot be said to be in a safe position. A recent proposal to build a diagonal bund through it to safeguard a highway, will, if carried through, prove disastrous, as one section of the Sanctuary will dry up and the other be flooded. It is unfortunate that certain portions of the body of the Rhinoceros are imagined to give a filip to one, of the basic urges of human, nature. This makes the Rhino a much desired target of the mercenary poacher.
Jaldapara, Bengal. Possessing ideal cover for the Rhinoceros, being overgrown with tall grass and reeds, with several low lying isolated swamps, this type of country grows the favourite food of the Rhino, wild ginger and the tender shoots of marsh reeds.
Jaldapara, Bengal. Possessing ideal cover for the Rhinoceros, being overgrown with tall grass and reeds, with several low lying isolated swamps, this type of country grows the favourite food of the Rhino, wild ginger and the tender shoots of marsh reeds.
