GS3 – Environment
Context
Assam’s Chief Wildlife Warden has launched a special team to collect samples of rhino horns, which will be genetically analysed by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). This effort is part of the broader Rhino DNA Indexing System (RhoDIS India) project, crucial for rhino conservation through DNA profiling.
About the RhoDIS India Programme
- Launched in: 2016
- Collaborating Entities: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), state governments, WII, and WWF-India
- Objective: Develop a comprehensive DNA database of Indian rhinos to assist in conservation, monitoring, and crime investigation.
The Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros (Indian Rhino)
- Physical Characteristics: Largest among living rhino species; second-largest land mammal after elephants. Recognisable by its single black horn and grey-brown skin with folds.
- Habitat: Confined to the Terai grasslands and forests at the Himalayan foothills.
- Presence in Assam: Notably found in Kaziranga National Park, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, and Manas National Park.
- Major Threats:
- Illegal poaching for horns due to perceived medicinal value
- Habitat loss and fragmentation
Global Distribution of Rhinos
- Asian Range Countries (outside Africa): India, Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia
Protection Status
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- CITES: Appendix I
- Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Schedule IV
Other Rhino Species and Their Status
| Species | Region | IUCN Status |
| White Rhino | Northern and Southern Africa | Near Threatened |
| Black Rhino | Eastern and Southern Africa | Critically Endangered |
| Javan Rhino | Java (Indonesia) | Critically Endangered |
| Sumatran Rhino | Sumatra (Indonesia) | Critically Endangered |