Marked increase in rhinoceros population in Bengal, says CM on World Rhino Day

Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted on the occasion of World Rhino Day to inform that there has been a marked increase in the population of rhinoceros in the state.

"Today is World Rhino Day. Recent census results have revealed that there has been a marked increase in rhinoceros population in two national parks in #Bangla, Gorumara and Jaldapara," Banerjee tweeted.

Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) observed the occasion at Eco Space on Sunday, as a part of the drive to conserve nature. Two models of rhinos were put up, along with colourful posters to create awareness among the people, particularly schoolchildren and young adults.

Senior officials of the state Forest department delivered talks on rhinoceros and some photographs of the animal were displayed. The senior citizens of Snehodiya took part in the opening song. The slogans were "No to rhino horn" and "Save one-horned rhinos." Rhinos were earlier found in North Bengal, Assam and the foothills of Khasia and Jayantia hills in undivided India. Hundreds of rhinos had been killed by the British for game hunting. It is said that the British officers who could not kill a rhino before breakfast, were looked down upon. Over the years, the rhinoceros has become an endangered species.

Despite stringent laws, the poachers are active and their henchmen are often caught with rhino horns by the Forest department staff. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) had first declared September 22 as the World Rhino Day in 2010. In 2019, the pledge of the African Wildlife Foundation is: "Rhino horns are not for sale. Rhino horns do not cure cancer. They do not cure hangovers. In fact they do not cure any ailment. Yet, the demand for rhino horn persists, both for its perceived medicinal benefits and also as a symbol of high social status."

It may be mentioned that the population of one-horned rhinoceros in Jaldapara and Gorumara in North Bengal has gone up. The census report of the rhinos that was released by state Forest minister Bratya Basu at Sukna in Siliguri in June, showed the total count of the animals at 291.

The rhino population in Gorumara has increased from 49 to 52, while that in Jaldapara has gone up from 204 to 239. The last census report was released in the year 2015.