In news : IRV2020 program has been completed recently
What is it?
IRV is a collaborative effort between various organisations, including the International Rhino Foundation, Assam’s Forest Department, Bodoland Territorial Council, WWF-India, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Key features of IRV2020
- IRV2020 was established in 2005
- Moving Rhinos to ecologically(Wild-to-wild translocations) similar but distant areas to ensure species survival is an essential part of the programme
- The goal of IRV2020 was to increase the rhino population in Assam to 3,000 by establishing populations in new areas by 2020
- It intends to spread them over seven of the state’s protected areas: Kaziranga, Pobitora, Orang national park, Manas national park, Laokhowa wildlife sanctuary, Burachapori wildlife sanctuary and Dibru Saikhowa wildlife sanctuary.
About the greater one-horned rhino (or “Indian rhino”)
- Scientific name:Rhinoceros unicornis
- It is is the largest of the rhino species
- Appearance: It is identified by a single black horn about 8-25 inches long and a grey-brown hide with skin folds, which gives it an armor-plated appearance
- Habitat: Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- Current Population: Around 3700
- Globally, rhinoceros unicornis has been listed in CITES Appendix I
WPA 1972: Schedule – I
Source: PIB & WWF-India
