A new arrival cheers this vulnerable community
Birth of a Greater One-horned Rhino calf seen as proof of continuing success of reintroduction plan The birth of a Greater One-horned Rhinoceros calf about 10 days ago at the Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh is being seen as proof of the continuing success of a programme that began in 1984 to reintroduce the species in the habitat. Starting with a population of seven under the plan, the 27-square kilometre area now hosts 31 rhinos, including the new addition. As with several other parts of northern India, this area recorded the presence of Rhinoceros unicornis even in the 19th century, but habitat loss and excessive hunting decimated its numbers. The reintroduction programme, which was actively supported by the former Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, began in a region of the park with an ideal mix of grassland, woodland and wetland. Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh toldThe Hindu,