A STUDY ON THE POPULATION STATUS AND CONSERVATION APPROACH FOR Rhinoceros unicornis IN PABITORA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, ASSAM, INDIA

摘要

North-East India is noted for its rich biodiversity, and Assam itself is famous for its population of one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), one of the most threatened mammalian species on earth. Unfortunately, the population of this precious animal, which is found in some protected areas of Assam and West Bengal, is decreasing at an alarming rate. In Assam, one-horned rhino is found in Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, Orang National Park and Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary, with a total population of around 1,676 individuals (Kaziranga NP: 1,552; Orang NP - 46; and Pabitora WLS - 78). Out of these, the rhino population in Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary has the highest density in Asia, at four rhino per km~2 (Talukder & Mahanta, 1994). Though Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary is small in area, its grassland area provides a conducive rhino habitat for a significant population, but it receives little attention in terms of infrastructural inputs and research.