INDIAN RHINO VISION (IRV) 2020 PROGRAM

A collaborative initiative for strengthening rhino conservation in Orang NP

ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT MAY 2009

Prepared by –

WWF-India & IRF

INTRODUCTION :

Kaziranga National Park in Assam, India recently celebrated 100 years of successful Indian Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) conservation. Numbers in the Park increased from approximately 10-20 in 1905 to an estimated 2048 today (2009). This conservation success is the result of the superlative efforts of the Forest Department in Assam.

In Africa the southern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum) has achieved a similar but even more spectacular recovery from 20 to over 11,000 individuals. This greater success is due in large part to the policy of translocating rhinos to constantly extend their range. In contrast, over the last century very few of Kaziranga’s rhino have been translocated to establish other populations throughout former range. Kaziranga currently contains 93% of Assam’s rhinos and an estimated 67% of the species total. Moreover, only two of the R. unicornis populations (Kaziranga National Park in Assam, India and Chitwan National Park in Nepal) have more than 100 individuals. This restricted distribution with most of the eggs in only two baskets renders the species very susceptible to stochastic and catastrophic events. Indeed, there recently has been a dramatic decline in numbers (544 to 360) in Royal Chitwan NP (second largest population of the species on the planet) as a result of the Maoist insurgency in this country. There is also a history of sporadic insurgency in parts of Assam (e.g. Manas National Park) with very negative consequences for rhino populations in these areas.

As a consequence, the Assam Forest Department have agreed to the range expansion of the rhino in Assam through translocations from Kaziranga NP and Pobitora WLS to Manas NP and other appropriate protected areas (PAs).

The goal over the next 15 years is to increase the total rhino population in Assam from about 2000 to 3000 and also to expand the distribution of the rhino so that there are at least 7 Protected Areas with a rhino population of 50-100 individuals. This goal will be achieved by a combination of rhino translocations and improved protection.

The first of the translocations was made into Manas National Park in 2008 and the rhinos are doing well. Orang with a small population of 64 today (2009) will be given adequate protection through the years allowing its small population to recover and also provide an opportunity to bring in a variety in the gene pool by translocating from the other source PA’s.

WWF-India in partnership with the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) have been and will continue to be the NGO leaders in assisting the Assam Forest Department in the development of this Rhino Conservation and Range Expansion Program which has now been designated Indian Rhino Vision 2020. To facilitate and strengthen the process further, organizations like USFWS and Zoo Basel have also come forward to join the movement for the success of the Indian Rhino Vision (IRV) 2020 Program.

IRV2020 – Orang Initiative - 2 - May, 2009

THE AREA :

The Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park is the last remaining viable population of the Indian Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) in the northern bank of the river Brahmaputra of Assam (India). The area harbors 64 rhinos (as per 2009 census) under the jurisdiction on Mangaldoi Wildlife Division of the Assam Forest Depratment. The word ‘Orang’ owes its origin from the Assamese word ‘OOR’ which means ‘the end’. Historically, it was the eastern end or the eastern boundary of the king Arimatta or Vaidyadeva (bounded by the river Panchnoi). King Arimatte reigned after the Pal dynasty during 12th century A.D. in the former Kamrup district with its capital at Rangiya. According to some local people of the area, the term ‘Orang’ came from the ethnic group of “Tea labour” brought from Orissa by the British tea planters, whose ancestors are still residing at the outskirts of the Orang National Park. The entire protected area was a human habitat till the last decade of 19th century. Prior to declaration of Orang as a ‘Game Reserve’ in 1915, the whole area was occupied by different ethnic groups. The existence of 26 man-made ponds and a 'Shiva temple' inside the park are the evidence of the past human settlement within the present park boundary. The prevalence of an epidemic water-borne disease forced the people to abandon the area prior to 1900 A.D. As the inhabitants abandoned the villages, the whole area underwent natural changes providing an excellent habitat for various wildlife species including rhinos, tigers and elephants. The two major northern tributaries of the river Brahmaputra, viz.- Dhansiri and Panchnoi together with a number of streams and nullah that criss-crosses the park provides perennial source of water adding to the richness of the entire habitat.

AS S AM India ARUNACHAL PRADESH

Tezpur R.G. Orang National Park # #

# Mangaldoi R. utra # map Kaziranga NP Brah ASSAM

# N Nagaon W E S ( Guwahati 0 60 Kilometers

Boundaries and allignments shown are subject to correction AREAS Program, WWF India

Map 1 – Location of R.G.Orang National Park, Assam

IRV2020 – Orang Initiative - 3 - May, 2009

Orang was first declared as a ‘Game Reserve’ covering an area of 80.54 km2 in the year 1915, and was a part of Mazbat Forest Range under Darrang Forest Division of Assam. A ban on hunting was imposed by the government from 1972 onwards and in 1985, the Game Reserve was upgraded to a status of Wildlife Sanctuary covering an area of 75.60 km2. During 1991, an area of 3.21 km2 was added on it by evicting encroacher from government land and total area became 78.81 km2. Finally, Orang was upgraded to a National Park in 1999.

THE STATUS OF RHINOS :

As per the estimation done in March 2009, there are 64 individuals in the park. The highest concentration of rhinos is found in the central areas of the park, the highest is recorded in the Satsimolu area followed by Molamari.

YEAR RHINO POPULATION 1985 65 1991 97 1999 46 2006 68 2009 64

Table 1 – Rhino population trend; Source – Assam Forest Dept.

NATURAL POACHING TOTAL YEAR DEATHS DEATHS DEATHS 2000 5 8 13 2001 2 1 3 2002 1 0 1 2003 1 1 2 2004 2 3 5 2005 0 3 3 2006 7 3 10 2007 4 3 7 2008 2 7 9 TOTAL 24 29 53

Table 2 – Year wise rhino death data; Source – Assam Forest Dept.

Official rhino figures for rhino population in the park are available from 1985 onwards and it is observed that on an average about 60 to 70 rhinos are found in the park for most of the estimates. The highest number found in the park was 97 in 1991 (table1). This indicates that the park has the potential to receive about 8 to 10 rhinos from the other PA’s of Assam to add to the gene diversity and also strengthen the population.

IRV2020 – Orang Initiative - 4 - May, 2009

Geographically the park is such located that it does not have any buffer and faces pressure from all sides. The southern side is bounded by the mighty Brahmaputra posing a great challenge to thwart off the poachers as the waterway perforates the security network and make the park very vulnerable. The other three sides are bordered by densely populated villages with a very open border and presence of a river on both the eastern and western sided makes the area further vulnerable to poaching. From the year 2000 to 2008 there have been 53 cases of rhino deaths of which 55% are as a result of poaching (table 2). During 2001 to 2005 the poaching was on the lower side and since 2006 the cases has raised again calling for the attention of all to strengthen the park for the conservation of the rhinos and tigers.

SUPPORT FOR ENHANCING PROTECTION & STAFF WELFARE :

A support package to enhance protection measures in the Park was designed under the Indian Rhino Vision (IRV) 2020 program as suggested by the Security Group formed by the Task Force for Translocation of Rhinos within Assam. The plan received support from Zoo Basel who agreed to provide support under IRV 2020 for the rhinos of Orang NP. a. Communication – The communication lines and network forms the protection backbone for any PA specially for a place like Orang which houses both Rhino and Tiger. To facilitate better communication the needs identified in the Park were wireless sets, vehicles, boats, motorcycles and patrolling roads. Through the present initiative under IRV 2020 a plan was drawn up to address all these. The wireless network was reinforced by a grant from the USFWS through WADWT that provided two base stations, thirty-five handsets and additional batteries. The Bodoland Territorial Council provided two vehicles to the division to take off the load from the old vehicles.

To increase mobility and guard the open water front a motorized boat was provided through this initiative.

Plate 1 & 2 – Motorised boat for river patrolling in Orang; Photo – WWF-India

For fast and easy mobility for the frontline forest staff two motorcycles were also provided.

IRV2020 – Orang Initiative - 5 - May, 2009

Plate 3 & 4 – Motor-cycles for increased mobility; Photo – WWF-India

In addition to the motorcycles, cycles were provided to all the camps so that every camp has access for easy mobility. Cycles also help the camp dwellers to bring in their daily logistics and rations.

Plate 5 – Cycles handed over to frontline staff in the presence of Mr Malakar (CWLW, Assam) and Mr Dhar (CCF Assam); Photo – WWF-India

b. Anti-poaching and Patrolling – The park also has a lot of gaps in terms of anti- poaching camps and patrolling roads.

During the current phase of support one camp was supported to strengthen protection in one of the area of need. There is a need for more camps in the park and plans are there to provide support for more camps in the coming phase.

IRV2020 – Orang Initiative - 6 - May, 2009

Lack of sufficient and timely funds was source of major worry for the park authorities to clear and maintain the roads for patrolling. Support was provided during 2008 to clear and maintain strategic patrolling roads.

There was also a great need to support fuel to undertake patrolling in the park and also to hunt down poachers. Fuel support was provided to the division under this initiative for twelve months and is being continued further assessing the need of the field.

Powerful searchlights were also provided to the park to undertake patrolling with confidence even in the darkness of the night. c. Intelligence & Trade control – Efforts are also undertaken to control poaching and nab poachers by strengthening the intelligence network. This initiative has been undertaken with the help of TRAFFIC India. During the last year a lot of efforts have gone into this activity and this has been also reflected in some of the successes. More than ten poachers / traders were caught / arrested during 2008 and a lot of arms including sophisticated guns like AK47 were confiscated. Even though convictions are yet to take place, yet this effort has gone a long way to check the poaching network. More efforts in this direction will work to control the international illegal trade market.

TRAFFIC has also arranged a number of workshop on the subject not only to train the forest officials but also to orient the judiciary of the state towards conservation and legal issues. d. Staff welfare and training – The frontline staff forms the core unit for ensuring proper patrolling and protection in any wildlife area. To ensure proper service and sustained motivation the needs of the staff has to be taken care off as very vital. In this direction steps that were taken during the current phase included rain-suits and field boots for all the staff. Staff training concentrating on physical grooming and rhino monitoring is also in progress.

CONCLUSION AND LIMITATION :

The efforts even though is quite limited in nature till now has gone a long way to boost the conservation scenario in Orang NP and sustained effort for a couple of more years as planned with support from all will definitely go a long way to accomplish the dreams of IRV 2020 in Assam. Even though some activities have got delayed due to many a reasons, there is a firm belief that all will be accomplished as planned and Orang will project itself to be a great conservation success story soon.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT :

Thanks to the Assam Forest Department for initiating the IRV 2020 program in Assam for the long term conservation of Rhinos in Assam. A sincere thanks to all the staff of the Orang National Park for their dedication, commitment and support to carry out the planned activities and also put forth necessary suggestions. Thanks for the support and

IRV2020 – Orang Initiative - 7 - May, 2009 contribution of the all the team members of NBL & KKL in Assam and WADWT (Jayanta Das) and who have helped in the process.

A very special thanks goes to Zoo Basel who have come forward to support the plan designed for Orang along with all our partner organizations USFWS, IRF, TRAFFIC and the WWF family.

Last but not the least our gratitude to all the local organizations of the area and the people of Assam at large who takes a great pride in working for the betterment and conservation of the Indian Rhino.

Report prepared by –

1. Amit Sharma, WWF-India ([email protected]) 2. Bibhab Kr. Talukdar ([email protected])

This report was prepared in consultation with Dr. Anupam Sarma and Mr Ramesh Bhatta from WWF-India; Dr. Jayanta Das from Wildife Areas Development Trust and Mr S. Momin, Divisional Forest Officer, Mangaldoi WL Division, Assam.

IRV2020 – Orang Initiative - 8 - May, 2009

Annexure - I

IRV2020 – Orang Initiative - 9 - May, 2009

Annexure - II

IRV2020 – Orang Initiative - 10 - May, 2009