GS 3: Environment | Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Why in News?

The five rhino range nations signed a declaration ‘The New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos 2019’ for the conservation and protection of the species at the recently held Second Asian Rhino Range Countries meeting.

Highlights:

• India will collaborate with Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia and Malaysia to increase the population of three species of Asian rhinos, including the Greater one-horned rhinoceros found in the Indian sub-continent.
• The declaration was signed to conserve and review the population of the Greater one-horned, Javan and Sumatran rhinos every four years to reassess the need for joint actions to secure their future.
• Undertaking studies on health issues of the rhinos, their potential diseases and taking necessary steps.
• Collaborating and strengthening wildlife forensics and strengthening of transboundary collaboration among India, Nepal and Bhutan for conservation of the Greater one-horned rhino.

Asian Rhinos:

• There are three Asian rhino species, all of which have been pushed to the brink of extinction. The greater one-horned is slowly recovering thanks to years of successful conservation efforts but the Sumatran and Javan rhinos remain at great risk.
• They’re now found in the wild in just four countries – India, Nepal, Bhutan and Indonesia.
• Poaching for their horns and habitat loss are the two greatest threats to the survival of Asia’s remaining rhinos.