The Hindu : Other States / Assam News : Rhino population increases

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Friday, May 14, 2004

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Other States - Assam

Rhino population increases

KAZIRANGA, MAY 13. The number of one-horned rhinos, one of the most endangered species in the world, has gone up in the Kaziranga National Park (KNP), KNP Director Dr N K Vasu has said.

Talking to UNI, Dr Vasu said the number of rhinos at the park now was around 1,700 against 1,552 during the last census done in 1999.

Apart from rhinos, the 860 sq km park, which was declared as a world heritage site by the United Nations in 1985, is also the habitat of 1,048 elephants, 1,500 wild buffaloes, 86 Royal Bengal Tigers, more than 500 eastern swamp deer, besides, 490 species of birds and many other wildlife species. ``Various actions adopted by the park authorities, including strict vigil on poaching, was responsible for increase in the rhino population here,'' Dr Vasu said.

He said in the 90s on an average 30 to 40 rhinos were killed by the poachers every year which had come down considerably.

While poaching of rhinos was below 10 two years ago, there was no poaching of the species here last year, the director said.

Asked about the measures the park authorities were taking during the monsoon when floods are likely to occur as the area is situated near the bank of Bramhaputra, Dr Vasu said necessary arrangements were being made so that animals were not lost, specially when they move up on the national highway for shelter.

He, however, admitted that normal flooding of the area was also necessary as it cleans the waterbodies inside the park and the siltation caused by the flood inside the park help a particular grass to grow, which is liked by the rhinos most.

He said that it was the flash flood, which caused more damage to wildlife. ``During the flash floods in 1988 and 1998 more than 600 animals had perished. However, there had been no flash floods in the park during the last couple of years,'' he informed.

The KNP director informed that the park had 57,864 visitors last year (2003-04), which was more or less the same as compared to the year before. ``There had been a rise among foreign visitors, which stood at 3,772 during the period. Revenue from the tourists, however, had gone up to Rs 61,38,657 during 2003-2004 as against Rs 53,69,695 in 2002-2003. With the tourist season (November to April) being virtually over, the park authorities had decided to suspend its elephant ride inside the park. Tourists, if any, could avail of jeep service in some selected areas inside the park."

UNI

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