Lok Sabha Question No. 3573 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-11
Subject: Rehabilitation of Rhinos in Dudhwa National Park
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT,  FORESTS AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: AJAY (TENI) MISRA

OIH

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3573**

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2015

**Rehabilitation of Rhinos in Dudhwa National Park**

3573.	SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI:

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

1. whether rhinoceroses have been relocated to/rehabilitated in Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh from Assam and if so, the details thereof;
2. if so, the number of rhinoceroses that died due to natural cause and accidents and illness during the last one year and the current year;
3. whether the reason for the said deaths of rhinoceroses was the change in climate/temperature as compared to Assam and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
4. whether the Government is likely to take safety measures to protect the rhinoceroses; and
5. if so, the details thereof?

**ANSWER**

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST

(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

| (a)         | As reported by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh, rhinoceroses have been relocated / rehabilitated in Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh from Assam in 1984.  The reintroduction of rhino in Dudhwa took place in two phases.  In first phase (1984), five rhinos (2 males and 3 females) were captured and translocated to Dudhwa from Pobitora Wild Life Sanctuary, Assam.  Of these five animals, one female died of stressful abortion before she could be released.  The first batch of animals was released in Dudhwa on 20.4.1984.  Another female died on July 31, 1984 after bid to tranquilize her to treat a wound.  Later four young female rhinos from near Royal Chitwan National Park arrived in Dudhwa in April 1985 with the collaboration of Government of Nepal.  Thus seven rhinos, two males and five females made up the seed population of rhinos.   |
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| (b) and (c) | The number of rhinoceroses that died due to natural causes and accidents and illness during the last one year and the current year are as given below:  Year  Natural death  Death due to Accidents and illness  2014 4 - 2015 2 -  The natural death can not be ascribed to the change in climate/temperature as about more than 25 rhinoceros are thriving in the area at present.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| (d) and (e) | The Government of India provides financial assistance under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of ‘Project Tiger’ to the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, which  *inter alia,*  addresses the conservation and protection of rhinoceros too.  The day to day monitoring is done by the field formation which involves daily monitoring of rhino in the electrically fenced enclosure from elephant back along with normal patrolling by frontline staff.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |

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