Assam to relocate Rhinos in National Parks

[Guest guest]

The Assam Tribune,Guwahati, 09 July, 2005 (www,assamtribune.com)

 

Plan to relocate rhinos in State's National Parks

 

By Prabal Kr Das

GUWAHATI, July 8 – In a major development in the sphere of

wildlife

conservation in Assam, a plan is being drawn to introduce the Indian

one-horned rhinoceros in several National Parks of the State. The

International Rhino Foundation (IRF), an US-based conservation group,

has evinced interest to support the ambitious project to be carried

out by the State Forest Department.

 

According to a well-placed source, the support of the IRF is crucial

because the project of rhino translocation is " a specialised

operation involving many variables, any of which can go awfully

wrong. " It necessitates financial resources, which is almost

impossible for the Forest Department to mobilise on its own.

 

Talking to The Assam Tribune, today, Dr Thomas J Foose, Program, IRF said, " We have the funds. An operation to shift

about

20 rhinos will require a sum of about US$ 200,000, at least. We can

provide half that amount within a short period. "

 

Explaining the rationale behind the project, Dr Foose was of the

belief that the expanding population of rhinos in Pobitora and

Kaziranga demands that some of them be shifted to other areas where

more living space is available. Research has revealed that such space

could be found in Manas, Orang and Dibru Saikhowa National Parks.

 

" The habitat of these places can sustain a viable population of

rhinos, as they did in the past. The question that arises is of

security…the rhinos would require the best monitoring that the

Forest

Department could provide, " he said.

 

The translocation project would comprise several phases, beginning

with identification of healthy animals – both male and female.

Suitable sites would have to be located in the selected National

Parks, where they would be introduced based on the recommendations of

an expert group. Constant monitoring will then start till the time it

is deemed necessary.

 

Emphasising the security aspect, Dr Foose asserted that the local

people had to be involved in protecting the rhinos in their new

habitat. The personnel of the Forest Department and people from the

neighbouring areas must have shared interests in protecting the

species; otherwise threats will remain.

 

When asked about the number of rhinos that should be shifted to a new

habitat in the first phase, Dr Foose reasoned that a new population

should consist of about 20 rhinos. He cautioned that monitoring more

rhinos could be a difficult proposition and the " historical

maximum "

of any habitat should not be the target.

 

Based on his experiences of rhino translocation in South Africa, he

noted that the males would have to be released in strategic areas,

giving them adequate territory to roam about. That would diminish the

chances of aggressive behaviour that adult male rhinos display

towards one another.

 

While acknowledging the efforts of the State Forest Department

as " among the best I have seen, " he added that sustained

efforts were

required. Communication and infrastructure were two areas, which

called for more attention. " Taking care of a wild species in

areas

where poachers have previously operated cannot be done without proper

logistics. "

 

In this regard, the IRF could have a definite role to play because of

its conservation experiences with the African, Javan and Sumatran

rhino. Apart from providing funds, its expertise and knowledge base

could possibly empower the Forest Department to conserve the valuable

species in a more effective manner.