 Reference Base  Policies that work for rhino conservation in West Bengal |
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Martin, E.B., 2006. Policies that work for rhino conservation in West Bengal. Pachyderm 41: 74-84, figs. 1-5, tables 1-4
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| Location: |
Asia - South Asia - India - West Bengal |
| Subject: |
Conservation |
| Species: |
Indian Rhino |
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The number of rhinos in West Bengal, India, has been increasing greatly since 1994. Gorumara National Park has seen numbers rise from 15 in 1994 to 28 in 2005, and Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary from 35 to just over 100, according to official statistics. Today, Jaldapara has the third largest rhino population in Asia. No rhino poaching has been reported in either protected area since 1996. This paper examines why the Forest Department of West Bengal has been so successful in rhino conservation.
The main reason is that the central and state governments have allocated considerable sums of money to the budgets of these two rhino areas. This has allowed the employment of many people who patrol intensively and has made it possible for the Forest Department to donate generously to projects for the poor people living around Jaldapara and Gorumara. There is thus a close relationship between the department and the local people who act together to deter poaching of rhinos.
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