Greater One-horned Rhinoceros

15 Nov 2024 15:20:07 pm

Tags : Greater One-horned Rhinoceros

Topic: Biodiversity

Why in the news?

In a joint operation, Assam Police and the state forest department successfully prevented a poaching incident by arresting two suspects linked to greater one-horned rhino poaching networks in Kaziranga National Park, which holds the distinction of being one of Assam’s two UNESCO natural heritage locations.

Source: The Times of India

About Greater One-horned Rhinoceros:

It is commonly known as the Indian rhino.
It is the largest of the rhino species.
It is identified by a single black horn and a grey-brown hide with skin folds.
It is one of the five species of Rhinos. The other four species are:
- White rhino: It is native to northern and southern Africa
- Black rhino: It is native to eastern and southern Africa
- Javan rhino: It is also known as Sunda rhino or lesser one-horned rhino
- Sumatran rhino: Critically Endangered species of rhino
It is a grazer. When not grazing on land, it likes to immerse itself in water, where it also grazes on aquatic plants.
This species of rhino is commonly found in Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and in Assam, India.
It is threatened by habitat loss and hunting.
Protection Status:
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- CITES: Appendix I
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

Kaziranga National Park:

It is situated in the north-eastern part of the country in the state of Assam.
It is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain.
In 1985, the park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Diffalu river, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, flows through the National Park area (core tiger habitat), while another tributary, Moradifalu, flows along its southern boundary.
It is of sheer forest, tall elephant grass, rugged reeds, marshes, and shallow pools.
Flora:
- It is primarily famous for its dense and tall elephant grasses intermixed with small swamplands.
- It also includes an abundant cover of water lilies, water hyacinths and lotus.
- Rattan Cane, a type of climbing palm, is also found here.
Fauna:
- Many endangered and threatened species like Rhino, Tiger, Eastern swamp deer, Elephant, Buffalo, Hoolock gibbon, Capped langur, and Gangetic River dolphin are commonly found in the habitat.
- It is inhabited by the world\'s largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals.