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Assam Reports Zero Rhino Poaching as Population Grows
Assam is an important home for the greater one-horned rhinoceros.
About 3,260 of these rhinos live in the state.
That is nearly 80% of all greater one-horned rhinos in the world.
Assam reported no known rhino-poaching cases in 2025.
This was only the second year without a known case since the 1970s.
Kaziranga National Park has the biggest group of these rhinos in one place.
Officials said stronger patrols, technology, teamwork and local participation helped protect them.
Assam has also worked to restore rhino habitats in places such as Manas National Park.
Experts say the rhinos still need protection from shrinking habitats, invasive plants, water shortages and human activity.
Assam is home to about 3,260 greater one-horned rhinoceroses, nearly 80% of the global population of the species.
The state recorded no known rhino-poaching incidents in 2025, only the second such year since the 1970s.
Kaziranga National Park contains more than 2,600 greater one-horned rhinos, the world’s largest single population.
Officials attributed the progress to intelligence gathering, coordinated enforcement, surveillance, frontline protection and community participation.
Conservationists warned that habitat fragmentation, invasive vegetation, water shortages and human activity remain threats.
- Who
- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Environment and Forest Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, Assam officials and conservationists.
- What
- Assam highlighted its estimated 3,260 greater one-horned rhinos and reported zero known rhino-poaching incidents in 2025.
- Where
- Assam, particularly Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park.
- When
- The announcement was made for World Rhino Day on September 22; the reported zero-poaching year was 2025.
- Why
- To highlight rhino-conservation progress and renew efforts to protect rhinos and their habitats.
Government Conservation Success
Continuing Conservation Risks
Meaning of the zero-poaching figure
Government Conservation Success
Assam officials presented the absence of known poaching cases in 2025 as evidence that stronger anti-poaching measures, surveillance, enforcement and community participation are working.
Continuing Conservation Risks
Conservationists cautioned that preventing poaching is only one part of the challenge and does not remove other threats to rhinos.
Future of Assam’s rhino population
Government Conservation Success
The Assam government emphasized habitat restoration and protection efforts intended to help rhinos thrive for future generations.
Continuing Conservation Risks
Conservationists identified habitat fragmentation, invasive vegetation, water shortages and human activity as continuing concerns as the population grows.
Key facts
- Rhinos in Assam
- Approximately 3,260 greater one-horned rhinoceroses.
- Share of global population
- Nearly 80% of the world’s greater one-horned rhino population is found in Assam.
- Poaching in 2025
- No known rhino-poaching incidents were recorded in Assam.
- Kaziranga population
- More than 2,600 greater one-horned rhinos live in Kaziranga National Park.
- Global population
- The International Rhino Foundation estimated 4,075 greater one-horned rhinos worldwide, up from 4,014 in 2022.
- Seized horns destroyed
- Assam’s government said it has destroyed 2,479 rhino horns seized from poachers.
- World Rhino Day theme
- The 2026 theme is “Keep the Five Alive,” referring to all five remaining rhinoceros species.
Quotes
Jayanta Malla Baruah
Assam Environment and Forest Minister
“The Greater One-Horned Rhino is our pride and a treasured part of Assam’s rich biodiversity. Under the leadership of Hon’ble CM Dr. @himantabiswa dangoriya, the Assam Government has continued to strengthen rhino protection, habitat conservation and anti-poaching efforts.”
theprint.in
“This year’s theme, ‘Keep the Five Alive’, reminds us of our shared responsibility to protect all five species: the White, Black, Greater One-Horned, Javan and Sumatran rhinos.”
theprint.in
Sources
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