 Reference Base  The greater one-horned rhino of Assam is threatened by po... |
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| Location: |
Asia - South Asia - India |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
| Species: |
Indian Rhino |
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The greater one-horned rhino in Assam has increased steadily in numbers since the start of this century, and considerable credit must be given to the people of Assam. An increase in political instability recently, however, poses a growing threat to the survival of the rhinos. There has been a steady rise in poaching over the last few years. Rhino horns from poached rhinos are sold to buy guns and more guns kill more rhinos.
Furthermore, there is now a severe financial problem. The Forest Department could be capable of making significant sums of money from tourism, if it raised its fees; presently, entry fees are only $0.16 (5 rupees) and an elephant ride $1.67. Yet there is little incentive for the Forest Department to make these increases, as all funds go to the state government. Furthermore, with Assam's instability, due to political agitations from ULFA and the Bodos, and the need for nonIndians to obtain restricted area permits to visit, foreign tourists are extremely few.
Yet at this precarious time, the Central Government of India has ended a Rhino Conservation Scheme (1986/7 to 1991/2) which provided a much needed sum of $3,888,000 (67.5 million rupees) (Hazarika, pers. comm.). This scheme greatly helped rhino conservation and, since its termination, poaching has increased significantly. The year 1993 witnessed the worst poaching this century, except for 1983 when there was a breakdown in law and order in the State. The Assam Forest Department at the moment cannot support its own rhino protection measures, nor can it provide the small sums of money desperately needed for an intelligence network. The Department and the Government of India, for the first time ever, are seeking international assistance for the rapidly escalating poaching problem (Hazarika and S.C. Dey, Inspector General Wildlife, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, pers.comm.; and Bist et a]., 1994). A secure flow of funds must be provided to maintain the parks and sanctuaries on a regular basis. The people of Assam certainly deserve assistance, and it will be an act of disastrous negligence, and a huge loss to the world, if their cries for help are not answered quickly.
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