Uttarakhand: Rhinos likely to make a comeback in Corbett Tiger Reserve soon

The Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand will witness reintroduction of rhinoceros on an experimental basis to increase the diversity of fauna in both the hill state and the protected areas. The Uttarakhand Wildlife Advisory board recently approved this proposal in a meeting that was presided over by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, after emphasising the fact that the environmental conditions and geographical terrain of this region are suitable for the species.

It is expected that the introduction of rhinos in Corbett will boost tourism in the state. Referring to this development, the Uttarakhand Chief Wildlife Warden stated that the one-horned species will either be brought from West Bengal or Assam as the maximum population of this species is there. However, before doing that, a proposal will also be sent to the Union Environment Ministry regarding the translocation, he said
Corbett Tiger Reserve spread over an area of 1200 sq km, used to have rhinoceros till a few centuries ago. As per the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), rhinos became extinct here because of anthropogenic pressure. Also, the rhinos were all hunted out from the landscape as the grassland was open to agriculture back then and poachers exploited the species, which eventually wiped them out, as per the WII.
While speaking to the media, Senior Scientist Dr YV Jhala, who is heading the WII project, said that the rhino population in our country is severely threatened. It is critically endangered because of its horn. Thus, there is now a need to create a ‘safety net population’, as its population is concentrated in Assam and West Bengal. Research by the WII found the Corbett Tiger Reserve to be a perfectly suitable habitat for the rhino. With the Shivalik range on one side, this spot can act as a nice basin for the rhinos to stay in.
Further, the topography of this region will also ensure that the animals don’t wander into human habitation to raid crops, thereby minimising the chances of man-animal conflict.

Sources also state that voluntary village protection forces will also be formed by the state board in areas where man-animal conflict is frequent.