New Delhi Declaration: International Collaboration To Help Protect Rhinos in Assam

GUWAHATI: Rhino conservation in Assam will receive a boost with five countries signing the 'New Delhi Declaration' agreeing to strengthen trans-boundary collaboration among India, Nepal, and Bhutan to secure future of Asian rhino species.

The Declaration was signed recently by India, Bhutan, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Nepal during the Asian Rhino Range States meeting in New Delhi, organized by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate change, International Union for Conservation of Nature/Species Survival Commission, Asian Rhino Specialist Group along with WWF-India, International Rhino Foundation and Aaranyak, an NGO.

“Rhinos from India (especially from Assam), Nepal and Bhutan keep on migrating to its neighboring countries. So, instead of managing the two populations differently in different countries, it needs to be managed with the same protocol. The New Delhi Declaration will serve such purpose,” a wildlife expert said.

Under the 'New Delhi Declaration', the five countries have agreed to strengthen protection regimes, intelligence gathering and real-time sharing of intelligence information on rhino crime and its horn trade to secure the rhino population within and between range countries. There were discussions on rhino trade in Asia in the recent meeting.

“There is a possibility of opening of international trade of rhino horn and other derivatives will have a detrimental impact on rhino populations in the Asian rhino range countries. International trade of horn has the direct adverse impact of the rhino population in Assam as poachers resort to rampant poaching. The joint collaboration of five countries will help in preventing booming international trade of rhino horn,” the wildlife expert said.

The countries have also decided to initiate research on various habitat parameters, including invasive species threatening the suitable habitats of Asian rhinos and take optimally manage the habitats. It has also decided to explore possibilities of expanding rhino ranges within the country or between rhino range countries for optimal population management.

“It was also decided in the meeting to identify connectivity and corridors across international boundaries and keep them functional, safe and secure for free movement of Asian rhinos and other wildlife,” a source said.

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