THE NEW DELHI DECLARATION ON ASIAN RHINOS 2019
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.