About World Rhino Day

• Celebrated on: 22 September every year, with an aim to create awareness about saving the species.
• First observed in: 2010 by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in South Africa.
• Global recognition: In 2011, it was popularised worldwide by WWF-South Africa and Ms. Lisa Jane Campbell, who designed the campaign.
• Objective: To raise awareness about rhino conservation, highlight threats like poaching and habitat loss, and celebrate conservation successes.

Rhino Species in the World

There are five species of rhinos, each with conservation concerns:

• Indian Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) – also called the Greater One-Horned Rhino; found in Assam, West Bengal, and parts of Nepal; it is vulnerable as per IUCN status.
  • India is home to the largest population of the Greater One-Horned Rhino, with around 3,700 individuals (2024 data).
  • Protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and listed in CITES Appendix I.
  • Assam’s Kaziranga National Park is the world’s largest habitat and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, has the world’s highest density of one-horned rhinos.
• Javan Rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus) – critically endangered; only about 80 individuals left, mainly in Ujung Kulon National Park, Indonesia.
• Sumatran Rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) – smallest and most endangered rhino (critically endangered); fewer than 80 remain in Indonesia.
• White Rhino (Ceratotherium simum) – largest species (near threatened); native to Africa; population recovering.
• Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis) – native to Africa; critically endangered, now slowly recovering due to conservation efforts.

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Greater One-Horned Rhino:

1. It is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
2. It is also included in Appendix I of CITES.
3. Assam’s Kaziranga National Park has the highest density of one-horned rhinos in the world.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)