Habitat assessment on for rhino translocation, Assam-India

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Link: www.assamtribune.com

 

Habitat assessment on for rhino translocation

 

By Prabal Kr Das

GUWAHATI, Oct 10 – As part of the ongoing Indian Rhino Vision

Project 2020, a crucial step is being taken for the eventual

translocation of Indian one-horned rhinos into three Protected Areas

(PA) of Assam. Currently, habitat assessment is being carried out in

Manas National Park, Laokhowa-Burhachapori-Kochmora Complex and

Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, the targeted areas for releasing the

rhinos.

 

Habitat assessment would take into account the ideal ecological

space, which include terrain favoured by rhino, proximity to water-

bodies and adequate food source. The team of experts in the habitat

assessment group would soon submit a " partial report " , based on

which subsequent action would be taken, a high ranking official of

the Forest Department informed The Assam Tribune today.

 

It was told that once habitat assessment was over, security

assessment would begin in the three PAs to ensure that there were no

threats to the rhinos, which would be translocated. Security

considerations in Manas National Park are being taken seriously by

the Forest Department, because of past precedents. The recent

situation in the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park has further underlined

the need to review security.

 

Security aspects relating to the PAs where the rhinos would be

released are likely to be discussed in detail during a meeting

scheduled for November 13. The meet would also focus attention on

the monitoring mechanism required in the PAs following the

introduction of a rhino population.

 

The official revealed that the rhinos would be taken from the source

PAs – Kaziranga National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary – in

such a manner that crossbreeding is possible among males and females

from different areas. It reduces the chances of inbreeding and helps

widen the gene pool. This aspect would be studied and monitored by

veterinary experts from both within and outside the country.

 

Although the exact number of rhinos to be translocated is yet to be

determined, each of the target PAs would receive least 20 rhinos as

part of the initial effort. However, the project envisages the

emergence of a viable rhino population of around 3,000 by the year

2020. It has been felt that translocation would both reduce the

pressure on rhino habitat in Kaziranga and Pobitora, and create new

space, which they require.

 

The International Rhino Foundation and the World Wildlife Fund have

supported the project involving large funds. There is also a

possibility that the State Forest Department would receive

assistance from the Australia-based Asian Rhino Project.