JALDAPARA, WEST BENGAL: As the world observes World Rhino Day today (September 22), Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Parveen Kaswan, currently posted as Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Jaldapara National Park, West Bengal, has shared insightful information on the current state of rhinoceros conservation, especially focusing on the Indian one-horned rhinoceros.
World Rhino Day is an annual global event dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the protection of the five remaining rhino species—of which the Indian (Greater One-Horned) Rhino is a key focus in South Asia.
From Pakistan to the Northeast: The Lost Range of India’s Rhinos
In a detailed social media post, Parveen Kaswan, a 2016-batch IFS officer, reflected on the historic and current plight of rhinos in the Indian subcontinent. He highlighted how the Javan rhino, now extinct in India, was once widespread in the Northeast and up to modern-day Pakistan.
“Javan rhino got extinct from India in the first decade of the 20th century. Rhinos lost huge ground in these years,” he wrote.
Kaswan added that the Sumatran rhino, the smallest of the five species, also once roamed parts of India, but has vanished due to deforestation and poaching.
It is #WorldRhinoDay. There are 5 species of Rhino in the world. Among them the Black, #Sumatran and #Javan rhinos (which was once found naturally in India also) are critically endangered. And #Indian rhino is Vulnerable. Here Indian Rhino standing in its habitat with all the… pic.twitter.com/SH6w4ye0oM
— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) September 22, 2025
The Five Rhino Species: Conservation Status
IFS officer Kaswan explained that among the five existing rhino species:
- Black Rhino, Javan Rhino, and Sumatran Rhino are Critically Endangered.
- Greater One-Horned (Indian) Rhino is listed as Vulnerable.
- White Rhino, largely found in Africa, is Near Threatened.
Despite conservation successes, the rhino population globally remains under threat, especially from poaching, driven by the mythical medicinal value of rhino horns.
India: A Global Stronghold for Rhinos
India is currently home to over 80% of the global population of Greater One-Horned Rhinos, with major populations in:
- Kaziranga National Park, Assam
- Jaldapara National Park, West Bengal
- Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam
- Orang National Park, Assam
- Dudhwa National Park, Uttar Pradesh
“Once their numbers dropped dangerously low. But now, concerted conservation efforts are paying off,” Kaswan said, emphasizing India’s global role in rhino protection.
Behavior, Territory, and Rhino Life: Lesser-Known Facts
Kaswan also shared fascinating ecological insights:
- Indian rhino calves remain close to their mothers.
- Adults are solitary, except during mating.
They mark territory using urine and dung piles, a unique trait among large mammals.
A picture he shared of a majestic one-horned rhino in Jaldapara National Park, standing confidently in its natural habitat, resonated widely on social media.
From Brink of Extinction to Conservation Success
While threats like poaching for rhino horns persist, India’s rhino conservation model is regarded as one of the most successful wildlife stories globally. Protected areas, community involvement, forest staff efforts, and policy backing have all contributed to the revival of rhino numbers in the last few decades.
Yet, as Kaswan rightly points out, “the battle is not over.” Awareness, education, and global cooperation are still crucial for ensuring the long-term survival of rhinos—especially those species now on the brink.
