BARPETA, March 12 � Manas National Park-cum-Tiger Project welcomed another four rhinos to its fold this morning. With these four, the total number of these endangered species rose to 22 in the World Heritage Site. Two males and an equal number of females were translocated to this park from the Bagori range of Kaziranga National Park on Sunday and were released in Burha Burhi area under Bansbari Range of Manas this morning.
There are already 18 rhinos in the park out of which four are rehabilitated and fourteen are wild to wild translocated. The translocation of this wild species have been undertaken under the India Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV 2020) which aims at a 3000 rhino population by the year 2020. IRV 2020 is a joint initiative of Assam Government, Bodoland Territorial Council, WWF, WTI and United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Manas was once the home of the world famous one horned rhinoceros. But during the turbulent period of Bodo Movement it was annihilated and there was no trace of this wild animal for about five years till five endangered kids were rehabilitated by the WTI in 2005. But unfortunately one of them died in an attack by a male rhino translocated from Pobitora .
History was created on the 12th of April, 2008 when two rhinos were translocated for the first time in the State from Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary to this park. Since then efforts are on by all the stakeholders of the park to increase and protect this animal at any cost.
Talking to mediapersons just after the successful completion of the process, SP Singh Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) said that Manas is one of the most suitable places for habitation of rhinos and there were a large number of this species earlier. but due to some unfortunate and untoward circumstances it became extinct here and so the authorities have been trying hard to restore it under the ambitious schemes of IRV 2020. He thanked all the people including the veterinary staff and the police associated with the work. He further informed that two more rhinos will be brought here this year to mark the ending of the strenuos
process.
The park family in Manas are happy to receive their new guests and they are committed to look after them in a flawless manner.
