World Rhino Day

World Rhino Day is celebrated on 22 September, every year, by the World Wildlife Fund and several other international organisations. The aim of the day is to celebrate five rhinoceros species and to create awareness about the threats faced by these five rhinoceros species living in Asia and Africa.

As UPSC surprises aspirants with questions linked with what usually is assumed to be trivia; it is advisable that one must scroll through the facts about World Rhino Day to get the basic information. It can be asked in UPSC Prelims from the section of current affairs, if at all asked.

Facts for UPSC Exam

Read the below-mentioned facts and aid your IAS Exam preparation along with other competitive exams’ preparation. 

The topic can be asked as a Current Affairs Question in IAS Prelims. Visit the attached link to attempt practice quizzes on current affairs.

To read more about the other Important International and National days click on the link. Such days and events become very important for UPSC Prelims.

About World Rhino Day

• The first World Rhino Day was announced by World Wildlife Fund South Africa in 2010, but the first Rhino Day was observed in 2011 and since then it is celebrated every year on 22 September.
• The day celebrates all five species of rhino: Black, white, greater one-horned, Sumatran and Javan rhinos.
• Theme 2021: Keep the five Alive.

Significance of World Rhino Day

• The species of rhinoceros are on the verge of extinction due to persistent poaching and habitat loss over several decades. So the day is significant to raise awareness about the need to preserve and take care of the rhino population in the world.
• The objectives of the day include strengthening protection, expanding the distribution range, research and monitoring, adequate and sustained funding.

About Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros

• These are also known as the Indian rhino and are the largest of the rhino species. 
• They have a single black horn and a grey-brown hide with skin folds. 
• Largest number of Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros are found in India.
• At present, there are about 2,600 Indian rhinos in India, with more than 90% of the population concentrated in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park.
• These are protected under 
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable.
  • CITES: Appendix-I
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I.
• They are commonly found in Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and India( Assam).
• Poaching for the horns, Habitat loss, Population density and Decreasing Genetic diversity are some of the threats faced by these Rhinos.

Read more about the Indian Rhinoceros in the linked article.

Conservation Efforts by India

• The National Conservation Strategy for Indian One-Horned Rhino has been launched by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). This has also enriched grassland management which helps in reducing the negative impacts of climate change through carbon sequestration.
• The New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos 2019 is signed by India, Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia and Malaysia to conserve and protect the rhinos.
• Project to create DNA profiles of all rhinos by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• Indian Rhino Vision 2020:It is a unique programme where the government partnered international, national and local organisations for the conservation of the rhinos. Under it, Manas has received a total of 22 rhinos from other protected areas.

Note: As UPSC 2022 approaches, use BYJU’S free Daily Video Analysis of The Hindu Newspaper to augment your preparation.