Bihar to increase population of greater one-horned Rhinos by 3% annually

The decision was taken as India, along with four other countries, signed the Chitwan Declaration for Asian Rhinos Conservation, 2023

The Bihar government has decided to increase the population of the greater one-horned Rhinos by 3% annually in the State.

The State government has also decided to increase rhino-bearing areas in Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in the West Champaran district by 5% in the next two years, an official said.

"Decision to increase the population of greater one-horned Rhinos by 3% annually was taken at the 3rd Asian Rhino Range Countries Meeting held at Chitwan (Nepal) from February 3 to 5.

“Five Rhino Range Countries countries - India, Bhutan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Nepal - signed the Chitwan Declaration for Asian Rhinos Conservation (2023) and agreed on managing the population of the greater one-horned Rhinos, Javan and Sumatran Rhinos with the intention of achieving at least 3% annual growth rate in their population,” P.K. Gupta, Chief Wildlife Warden of Bihar, told PTI.

With an intention to increase the population of greater one-horned rhinos in the state also, decisions taken in Chitwan will be implemented in Bihar also, said Mr. Gupta, who was also part of the Indian delegation for the summit.

"The VTR has been selected as one of the potential sites under the National Rhino Conservation Strategy. For the assessment of security and habitat conditions in VTR and further to suggest measures for the reintroduction of the rhinos scheme in the reserve, a security and habitat assessment committee was formed in January 2020. The potentially identified areas for the reintroduction scheme in VTR are — Ganauli and Madanpur," he said.

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