Rhinos in Dudhwa National Park, news from Amar Ujala archive
– Photo : Amar Ujala
Expansion
46 rhinoceroses are living with their families in the Dudhwa National Park located in Lakhimpuri. But, the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had once worked hard for their rehabilitation. The edition of 29 June 1985 published in the archive of Amar Ujala shows that in 1984, one-horned Raju, Banke and female Savitri were sent to Delhi by Russian plane from the forests of Assam in Dudhwa National Park (Uttar Pradesh). From there, they were left to roam freely through a truck. Later, in the year 1985, four female rhinoceroses were sent to Dudhwa from the forests of Nepal for them.
Rhinos with horns on their nose and thick skin hanging from their heavy bodies have now come in the list of rare animals. In view of the decreasing number of rhinos in the world, World Rhino Day is celebrated on 22 September for their protection and safety. About 186 years ago, rhinos lived in the forests of Dudhwa.