Guwahati, Sep 22: Assam observed World Rhino Day on Tuesday by showcasing significant conservation achievements, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealing that the state now harbors 80% of the global rhinoceros population alongside a zero-poaching record over the past year.
Underscoring the administration's commitment, Environment and Forest Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah pledged continued protection for the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros, designating the species as one of the state’s most cherished symbols of natural heritage.
"This World Rhino Day, we let the numbers do the talking," Chief Minister Sarma posted on social media, emphasizing the state's conservation progress.
Minister Malla Baruah reiterated the government's focus on anti-poaching measures, habitat restoration, and broader conservation goals under Sarma's leadership. Highlighting the 2026 global theme, ‘Keep the Five Alive’, he called for renewed collective responsibility toward preserving all five surviving rhinoceros species worldwide—the White, Black, Greater One-Horned, Javan, and Sumatran rhinos.
Official figures confirm that Assam currently houses 3,260 rhinos. As part of its strict anti-poaching strategy, state authorities have to date destroyed 2,479 confiscated rhino horns to deter illegal wildlife trade networks.
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) added that Assam's multi-pronged approach—combining law enforcement, habitat restoration, and anti-poaching operations—continues to serve as a national benchmark for wildlife management. (Agency)
