Guwahati, Sep 22 (PTI) Assam on Tuesday celebrated World Rhino Day, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighting that the state is home to 80 per cent of the world’s rhinoceros population and that zero poaching cases were registered last year.
Assam’s Environment and Forest Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said that the government is committed to protecting the rhinoceros – one of the state’s most cherished symbols of natural heritage.
Sarma, in a social media post, said, “This World Rhino Day, we let the numbers do the talking.” Malla Baruah, in another post, said, “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.” “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,” he said.
“Let us renew our resolve to protect rhinos and their habitats and ensure that these magnificent species continue to thrive for generations to come,” he added.
The chief minister’s office, in another post, said that on World Rhino Day, Assam celebrates its “incredible rhino story”.
“Under HCM Dr. @himantabiswa’s leadership, the state has taken several decisive steps to safeguard our rhinos, from strengthened anti-poaching measures to habitat restoration and conservation,” the CMO said.
There are currently 3,260 rhinos in the state and the government has so far destroyed 2,479 rhino horns seized from poachers.
The official theme for World Rhino Day 2026 is ‘Keep the Five Alive’, with an associated focus on “building a future for rhinos” to raise awareness on the protection and survival of all five remaining rhinoceros species worldwide. PTI DG DG ACD
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