From Endangered to Enduring

Do you know which animal roamed the plains of ancient India, standing as tall as an SUV and weighing as much as 2,500 kilograms?

With its imposing frame and armour-like skin, this ancient animal is none other than the Greater One-Horned Rhino. As the largest of the five rhino species, this magnificent creature, found primarily in India and Nepal, is not just a symbol of our country’s natural heritage. It is also a keystone species, contributing to conserving biodiversity and well-being of life within its environment. By grazing and creating open spaces, the Indian rhino ensures that other plant and animal species can thrive, making it an indispensable part of the ecosystem.

Despite their critical importance, Indian rhinos face grave challenges. For centuries, they have been hunted and poached, primarily for their horns, believed to possess medicinal benefits. Rhino horn poaching, driven by illegal wildlife trade, continues to pose a significant threat. Moreover, climate change makes life even harder for these gentle giants by altering their habitat. Only a few decades ago, the population of Indian rhinos was dwindling dangerously. They were on the verge of extinction, classifying them as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list.

Hope emerged from the heart of Assam. Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site, became a beacon for the conservation of the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros. The National Park is known for its rich and diverse ecosystem providing a habitat for many species. But at its core, the park's conservation efforts have focused on protecting the majestic rhino, a species that has flourished under its watchful eye. Kaziranga’s frontline protectors including the forest rangers are the unsung heroes of this success. These brave men and women work day and night to ensure the safety of the park’s wildlife.

Further strengthening these efforts, we at TACO, under the Anil Agarwal Foundation have recently collaborated with Kaziranga National Park through our wildlife conservation project ‘Mission Vanraksha’. Through a Memorandum of Understanding, we will provide a surveillance center and dwelling units for frontline workers. These provisions enhance the protection of the park’s wildlife, including the endangered Greater One-Horned Rhinos. With surveillance capabilities and better facilities, the forest guards can perform their duties more effectively, ensuring that Kaziranga remains a safe haven for some of the world’s most vulnerable species.

As we look towards the future, the story of Kaziranga and its rhinos is a testament to what can be achieved when humans come forward to protect the natural heritage of our planet.