The Legacy and Future of Rhino Conservation

The Greater One Horned Rhinoceros, or Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), represents pride and resilience for Assam in its conservation efforts. Assamese people and the majestic pachyderm have a profound connection, especially given Assam's remarkable success in saving the species from extinction over the past century. Throughout history, mankind has been fascinated by the rhinoceros' unusual body structure, formidable horn, and solitary appearance with odd toes.

Indus Valley Civilization records rhinoceros sightings dating back to roughly 5,000 years ago during the Mohenjo-Daro era. Although written accounts of the rhinoceros emerged approximately 500 years ago, archaeological evidence indicates its significance to earlier civilizations across the subcontinent. The human fascination with the rhino can be seen in the travelogues of past explorers and travelers, such as Al-Biruni (1030), Ibn Battuta (1334), and Marco Polo (16th-century explorer), who documented human fascination with this majestic animal. Several emperors, including Timur and Babur, indulged in rhino hunting until the early 20th century. A remanent of rhino population information could even be found as far west as Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat also highlighting its far and wide distribution in the past.

It has been portrayed in both historical and cultural narratives that the rhinoceros has left its mark on literature. In his 1779 book Iconology, Scottish architect George Richardson linked the rhinoceros to one of the most profound symbols of all - the River Ganges. Norfolk's 1996 novel The Pope's Rhinoceros revisits the story of Dürer's rhinoceros in 1515, while Clara's Wonderful Journey (1742–1756) tells the story of an Assamese rhinoceros, Clara, and her journey across Europe with her Dutch owner, Douwe Mout van der Meer.

The account of a hunting party attended by Jean-Baptiste Chevalier at the court of Swargodeo Rajeswar Singha (1751-1769), ruler of the Ahom Kingdom, demonstrates the historical ties between Assam and rhino. Numerous British officers, surveyors, and hunters documented the presence of the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros in the 19th century in Assam and neighbouring states. As mentioned in Sketch of Assam (1847) and Travels and Provinces of Assam (1855), Major John Butler of the Bengal Native Infantry reported sightings of rhinoceros in Guwahati. The Topography of Assam (1837) by John M'Cosh discusses rhino captures for export to Europe. Moreover, Cooch Behar Maharaja's Thirty-seven Years of Big Game Shooting in Cooch Behar, the Duars, and Assam (1908) highlights the history of hunting in Western Assam.

While Assam has a long history of rhino hunting, it has evolved into a global leader in rhino conservation in the 21st century. The state is now home to over 72% of the world's wild rhino population, with key strongholds like Kaziranga National Park, Orang National Park, Manas National Park, and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary at the forefront. Despite this success, rhinos still face significant challenges, including poaching, habitat loss, and the risk of inbreeding due to limited connectivity among Assam's rhino habitats. In this context, the Brahmaputra River could serve as a crucial "biological corridor," linking all rhino-bearing areas in Assam.

Conservation efforts cantered on rhinos have been highly effective, particularly under the Indian Rhino Vision (IRV) 2020 initiative, which guided a new phase of conservation from 2005 to 2020. The IRV 2020 program developed a strong emotional connection with the people of Assam, resulting in a greater commitment to rhino conservation. Over the past decade, national and international experts, state forest officials, local community organisation, different institutions and volunteers have worked tirelessly to re-establish the rhino population in Manas National Park following years of poaching. The program not only revitalized Manas but also improved confidence, skills, and scientific understanding on the rhino conservation front in Assam. The program also narrows down community participation in rhino conservation efforts across all rhino bearing areas within the state. Today, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (natural) in Assam -- Kaziranga and Manas -- proudly protect the rhinoceros, a species that was once on the verge of extinction.

Along with translocation efforts, rescue and rehabilitation initiatives have played an important role in the establishment of new rhino populations in Manas. It should be noted that since the completion of IRV 2020, the follow-up program, IRV 2.0, has yet to gain momentum in Assam.

There is a deep ingrained passion for rhinos in the culture of the state, which makes it a leader in the area of rhino conservation. The rhino conservation stands as a symbol of the success of these efforts, and this conservation mindset has the potential to serve as a model for tackling other pressing environmental challenges that Assam and the rest of the northeastern region are facing as well. We must come together, have an understanding of the science, and have a strong political commitment if we are to accomplish broader conservation goals.

The state of Assam has remained at the forefront of rhino conservation during the last century as Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, led efforts to create game reserves to protect India's wildlife-encouraged by his American-born wife, Lady Mary Curzon. The state will be able to maintain its position as a global leader in the wildlife sector if it continues to implement fervently a rhino-centric approach.