Context

• Assam has achieved a major success in a crucial wildlife conservation campaign by ensuring the reintroduction of rhinos to Laokhowa and Bura Chapori wildlife sanctuaries in Nagaon and Sonitpur districts.

 Key Points

• This iconic species almost became extinct in the region due to large-scale poaching.
• Which has again brought glory to the sanctuaries with the return of rhinos to these areas after 40 years.
• It is noteworthy that the Laokhowa-Bura Chapori forest located in Nagaon district had a thriving population of 45 to 50 rhinos till 1983.
• However, this species faces serious threats from poaching.
• The state government's anti-encroachment initiative has resulted in the recovery of 51.7 square kilometres of forest area in 2023.
• Earlier in the last few years these protected areas had witnessed encroachment by humans, this challenge has been effectively controlled in the last year with the concerted efforts of the authorities.
• The overarching strategy of wildlife conservation aims to protect biodiversity and natural habitats while ensuring sustainable coexistence between wildlife and local communities.

 Rhinoceros in india

• Only the one-horned rhinoceros is found in India.
• The one-horned rhinoceros (Indian rhinoceros) is the largest of the rhino species.
• This rhinoceros is identified by its single black horn and brown colour with skin folds.
• They mainly graze on grass, leaves, branches of bushes and trees, fruits and aquatic plants.
• This species is restricted to the Terai region of Indo-Nepal, northern West Bengal and Assam.
• In India, rhinos are found mainly in Assam, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.
• There are 2,640 rhinos in four protected areas in Assam (Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park, Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park).
• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

 IMPORTANT FACTS FOR EXAM

 Assam

• Statehood -26 January 1950
• Capital-Dispur
• Governor-Gulab chand Katariya
• Chief Minister-Himanta Biswa Sarma

 National Parks of Assam

1. Kaziranga National Park

2. Manas National Park

3. Dibru – Saikhowa National Park

4. Nameri National Park

5. Orang National Park and Tiger Reserve (ONPTR)

 6. Dehing Patkai National Park

7. Raimona National Park

Note - Kaziranga and Manas are included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.