Lok Sabha Question No. 4158 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-13
Subject: Protection of One-horned Rhinoceros
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, Vinayak Bhaurao Raut, DNV Senthilkumar. S., Shrirang Appa Barne

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4158

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2019

## Protection of One-horned Rhinoceros

4158.  DR. HEENA GAVIT: SHRI VINAYAK RAUT: DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S: SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  number  of  one-horned  rhinoceros  in  the  country  as  on  date,  State  and  forestwise;
- (b) the number of such one-horned rhinoceros that perished naturally and of those killed by poachers in the last decade, year and State-wise;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to review the existing wildlife protection mechanism in the country;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard;
- (e) the  problem  faced  by  the  Government  in  ensuring  protection  to  rhinoceros  and  other endangered animals; and
- (f) the steps taken by the Government to prevent the rampant poaching of these endangered animals in various national parks and wildlife sanctuaries?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

- (a) In India, one-horned rhinoceros in wild are found only in the three States viz, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Census of Rhinoceros is undertaken at the State-level by the respective State Governments periodically.

State wise population estimation of one-horned rhinoceros is as follows:

| State         |   Year of population estimation |   Total No. of One- horned rhinoceros |
|---------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| Assam         |                            2018 |                                  2650 |
| Uttar Pradesh |                            2015 |                                    34 |
| West Bengal   |                            2019 |                                   289 |

- (b) As per the information received from the State Governments, the records of one-horned rhinoceros that perished naturally and killed by poachers are as follows:
- (c ) and (d) The existing wildlife protection mechanisms are reviewed by the Government  periodically  for  the  protection  and  conservation  of  wildlife species.
- (e) The problems faced by the Government in ensuring protection to one-horned rhinoceros and other endangered species includes poaching activities, lack of

| State: Assam        | State: Assam       | State: Assam       |
|---------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
| Year                | Naturally perished | Killed by Poachers |
| 2009                | 64                 | 14                 |
| 2010                | 75                 | 8                  |
| 2011                | 61                 | 12                 |
| 2012                | 114                | 17                 |
| 2013                | 83                 | 37                 |
| 2014                | 62                 | 32                 |
| 2015                | 64                 | 21                 |
| 2016                | 105                | 22                 |
| 2017                | 153                | 9                  |
| 2018                | 88                 | 7                  |
| 2019 (current year) | 85                 | 3                  |

| State: West Bengal        | State: West Bengal   | State: West Bengal   |
|---------------------------|----------------------|----------------------|
| Year                      | Naturally perished   | Killed by Poachers   |
| 2010-11                   | 3                    | 0                    |
| 2011-12                   | 7                    | 0                    |
| 2012-13                   | 8                    | 0                    |
| 2013-14                   | 5                    | 0                    |
| 2014-15                   | 7                    | 6                    |
| 2015-16                   | 7                    | 2                    |
| 2016-17                   | 8                    | 0                    |
| 2017-18                   | 8                    | 3                    |
| 2018-19                   | 6                    | 1                    |
| 2019-20 (till 06.12.2019) | 3                    | 1                    |

front-line staff, lesser number of sophisticated weapons and communication equipments with forest departments etc.

- (f) The steps taken by the Government to prevent the rampant poaching of these endangered animals in various national parks and wildlife sanctuaries includes:
- i. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 provides for punishment for  violation  of  its  provisions.  The  Act  also  provides  for forfeiture of any equipment, vehicle or weapon that is used for committing wildlife offence(s).
- ii. Arrangement has been made to keep 24 hours surveillance on the parks through Electronic Eye Surveillance System, drones, watch towers.
- iii. Number  of anti-poaching  camps have been increased to effective surveillance in and around National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
- iv. Joint  operation  by  Forest,  Police  and  STF  is  also  conducted regularly to nab the suspected poachers and joint patrolling is carried out regularly.
- v. Communication and wireless network have been strengthened.
- vi. One-horned Rhinoceros is one of the 21 species identified for Recovery  programme  for  critically endangered  species, a component under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of 'Development of Wildlife Habitats'. Under this scheme Central assistance is provided for the recovery and protection of these species.
- vii. Most  of  the  rhino  habitats  in  three  states  are  covered  under Tiger Reserves. The  funds provided under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme  of  'Project Tiger' for protection and conservation  of  tigers  in  these  states  also  provides  protection and conservation to other animals including one-horned Rhinoceros. For other Protected Areas having rhino population, financial assistance is provided under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Development of Wildlife Habitats'.
- viii. Coordination amongst various parallel law enforcement agencies like the Police, BSF, Customs, SSB etc.
- ix. Liasioning with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau for information sharing and preventing wildlife crime.
- x. Training and awareness camps for JFMCs and local villagers.
- xi. Provision  of  arms  and  ammunitions  to  the  staff  involved  in protection work.