In the hope to keep the world famous one-horned rhinoceros of Assam under the global spotlight and for it to never lose its presence the Assam government will be observing September 22 as Rhino Day to generate public awareness for the protection of the one-horned pachyderm.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal at the 10th meeting of the State Board for Wildlife and said, a day exclusively dedicated to the approximately 2,500 rhino population in the state would be a tribute to the rhinoceros, which are the “pride of Assam”.
He also said that a State Rhino Project, in line with the National Rhino Project, will also be launched in the state for the protection and conservation of rhinos.
He also asked the wildlife board to raise a quick response team to rush to the location of animal deaths caused unnaturally.
Taking into account the recent deaths of tuskers in railway accidents, Sonowal asked the board to initiate a survey of elephant corridors in the state with the help of the World Wildlife Fund.
“Once the elephant corridor mapping in completed, we will hold a meeting with the Ministry of Railways to take remedial steps like creating tunnels or overpass for the elephants,” he added.
The meeting also discussed plans to form a wildlife health and research institute to study diseases of animals and suggest appropriate treatment mechanism, a govt official said.