West Bengal Celebrates a Remarkable Rise in One-Horned Rhino Population
West Bengal Celebrates a Remarkable Rise in One-Horned Rhino Population
In a significant boost for wildlife conservation, the population of the Great One-horned Rhinoceros in West Bengal has surged to 392, up from 229, as revealed by the latest rhino census conducted on March 5th and 6th. The census covered key habitats, including Jaldapara National Park, Gorumara National Park, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, and parts of Jalpaiguri Reserve Forests, spanning an area of 396 square kilometres.
According to a press release by the West Bengal forest department, Gorumara National Park recorded an estimated 61 rhinos (ranging between 58 and 63), while Jaldapara National Park, the second-largest habitat for the species after Assam’s Kaziranga National Park, reported an estimated 331 rhinos (ranging between 327 and 334).
The census saw the participation of 631 forest staff, alongside the active involvement of 15 NGOs and civil society groups, highlighting a collaborative effort in wildlife conservation. This remarkable increase in rhino numbers is a testament to the state’s dedicated conservation initiatives and offers hope for the future of this endangered species.
