PTR and DTR to launch new plans for rhino habitats

PILIBHIT: The authorities of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) and Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) are launching new strategies to project innovative contours concerned with one-horned rhinoceros habitats. The PTR officials, on World Rhino Day, which is observed globally on Sept 22 every year, are set to initiate an ambitious plan to introduce a habitat for one-horned rhinoceros to the reserve for the first time as the reserve has no population of resident rhinos.
"The plan envisages the import of rhinos from Assam and the neighbouring country, Nepal," said Manish Singh, divisional forest officer of PTR, adding that "for making a permanent habitat of rhinos in PTR, a vast area of 57 sqkm in Mahof forest range of the reserve has been identified which is saturated with adequate wetlands and grasslands to fulfil the essential needs of rhinos. We hope to complete the preliminary proceedings by the end of Oct, following which a detailed action plan will be sent to the state forest administration for approval and further action."
With this, the authorities of DTR have evolved a plan to provide its 50+ rhinos with a free-ranging facility. Till now, these rhinos remain in confinement stretched over 24 sqkm. A proposal to this effect has already been sent to the principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife) of the state. The practical action is set to come into effect after the proposal is given final approval by the union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC).
"The free-ranging facility for the movement of rhinos is aimed at enriching their genetic diversity. The DTR has contiguity with Nepal's Shuklaphanta National Park while the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary - a component of DTR - which also has the recorded population of 9 resident rhinos is adjacent to Bardiya National Park of Nepal through Khata wild corridor. These protected forest areas frequently have transboundary migration of rhinos. The mating during the mixing of rhinos of the reserve in migratory groups will result in genetic diversity," said Lalit Verma, field director of DTR.
"India is home to greater one-horned rhinos, the fourth largest land animal, which is found in the Indo-Nepal Terai region including UP, northern West Bengal, and Assam in India. Indian rhinos are gradually increasing in protected areas of India and Nepal. As per their recent population, approximately 2,895 are in Assam, 347 in West Bengal, and 40 in Uttar Pradesh as per the year 2022 estimates. Nepal has reported the presence of 752 rhinos. The animals are presently classified as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list," said Dr Amit Sharma, National Lead Rhino Conservation & One Health WWF India.
He further said, "Poaching is the biggest threat to the survival of the rhinos due to the demand for its horn and other body parts, mainly in markets outside India. Poaching is currently under control within the country, even though a constant threat always exists. In addition to poaching, the degradation of habitats, both grasslands and wetlands, also poses a threat to the species," adding that "the health issues can also be a major threat to this population which is found in a limited area of the country especially when the zoonotic threat is looming large."