Guwahati, Sept. 16: The number of rhinos poached in India and Nepal is significantly fewer than other countries in Asia and Africa, says a report that will be placed before the 17th meeting of CITES, to be held in Johannesburg this month.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between governments whose aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
The report, African and Asian Rhinoceroses - Status, Conservation and Trade, has been prepared by the IUCN Species Survival Commission, African and Asian Rhino Specialist Groups, and TRAFFIC (Trade Record Analysis of Flora And Fauna In Commerce) - the global wildlife trade monitoring network. The 17th conference of parties meeting will be held at Johannesburg, South Africa, from September 24 to October 5.
"Regarding the Asian rhino species, Sumatran and Javan rhinos are at such critically low population levels that the loss of even one animal to poaching would be a serious conservation blow. One-horned rhinos, on the other hand, are faring much better, with Nepal in particular demonstrating to the international community that zero poaching can be achieved. Although rhino poaching is a serious issue in India, it's still at relatively low levels and not impacting rhinos there to the degree poaching is in Africa for their animals" Richard Thomas, the global communications co-ordinator of TRAFFIC, told The Telegraph.
Compared to Africa, reported greater one-horned rhino poaching levels across India and Nepal in 2015 are low (0.7 per cent of the population in 2015 compared to 5.6 per cent for white rhinos and 4 per cent for black rhinos). Four countries - South Africa, Vietnam, China and Mozambique - are most heavily involved in rhino horn trade transactions and have been identified as points of concern as they accounted for some 70 per cent of the total rhino trade transactions between 2010-2015.
Surveys in 2014 and 2015 confirm a 9 per cent increase in the greater one-horned rhinoceros population since June 2012 to take the number of animals in India and Nepal to 3,557. Assam continues as the species' stronghold in India with 2,625 rhinos in four zones.
The report says Unesco has applauded Nepalese authorities for their successful efforts to protect the threatened species, particularly the greater one-horned rhino. Since the last conference of parties meeting in Bangkok in 2013, poaching has declined, with only one rhino killed in Nepal over the last three years and no reported poaching to date this year.
It said the greatest rhino conservation successes in Asia occur where there has been significant political will and dedicated staff commitment to effective action in the field. India's anti-poaching efforts continue to be critical to success and the commencement of reintroductions into former ranges show long-term vision.
Thomas said the meeting would be critical to keep the pressure up in ensuring that action is taken to protect rhinos.
"At the Asian end, the focus has to be on the demand and transit countries (Vietnam in particular) getting their houses in order with regard to implementing appropriate legislation to act as a deterrent and collaborating with enforcement agencies to secure prosecutions of those orchestrating the shipments. Far too little information is being gleaned and followed up from seizures," Thomas said.
He said the other crucial area to engage on is reducing the demand from consumer countries. It's a longer-term goal but if it can be achieved, it will bring a lasting solution to the crisis.