Rohit4Rhinos

Worldwide, rhinoceros populations are decreasing at a rapid rate. Over the past three decades, the Indian rhinoceros have declined by 95%. The last remaining stronghold for Indian rhinos in Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh is in serious trouble too. Rhino poaching and hunting is a global epidemics. In India, awareness and education have been seen as the solution to tackling this issue. Rohit Sharma, a famous Indian cricketer, established his Rohit4Rhinos campaign in 2018 in order to raise funds for the Indian one-horned rhino’s conservation. In this article, we will read what is Rohit4Rhinos campaign is all about.

About Indian One-Horned Rhino

The Indian one-horned Rhino, commonly referred to as the Indian rhinoceros, or simply Rhino, is a big herbivorous mammal. It is also called the Great One-horned Rhinoceros. The scientific name for Rhinos is “Rhinoceros unicornis.”

It is one of five species of rhinoceros. Indian rhinos live primarily in Nepal, Bhutan, India, and the state of Assam in northeastern India. The greater one-horned Rhinoceros is an endangered species and has been listed as “Critically Endangered” on the IUCN Red List. Rhino horns are still used for traditional medicines in China and Vietnam. The black market demand for rhino horns has increased poaching. This poaching activity can be devastating for this rare species, although many conservation efforts have been taken to save them.

The Rhino has been a part of Indian culture for centuries and served as a status symbol for the rich. Today, there are some 3,500 rhinos in the wild, a number that has decreased by over 90% in the last 100 years.

The Indian one-horned Rhino is also threatened by habitat loss due to the increasing human population and a growing economy. The increased human population has also put pressure on resources such as water and food. Large numbers of people are moving into areas where this species once thrived. This means that the animals are being forced out of suitable habitats.

Habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict have led to a rise in the poaching of rhinos.

What is the Rohit4Rhinos campaign is All About

Rohit Sharma, an Indian cricketer, and a World T20 champion,  has taken up a project of awareness called ‘Rohit4Rhinos campaign’ to save this animal and preserve its natural habitat by raising funds to buy land in the Western Ghats national park in Maharashtra State.

As per the latest reports, his campaign has raised over Rs. 1 crore, of which around Rs. Forty-seven lakhs have been pledged to buy and plant around 200,000 saplings in the national park.

The cricketer, through his campaign, wants to raise awareness about the Indian one-horned rhino and its conservation.

Rohit Sharma’s campaign would raise awareness about the major ills of unlawful poaching. The goal of this campaign was for Sharma to wear an eye-catching, specially designed sneaker during his games which would make him recognizable on TV. This will also help spread awareness to his fans and allow them to participate in the initiative. His fans have gone to social media and have shown their support. 

Sharma also took part in fetching signatures for a petition against poaching. Sharma stated that this was an important cause as it was about animals, very close to his heart. He said that he would like every Indian to be a part of this cause and support the efforts being made by the government. Sharma has also said that he would be happy if his fans could lend their support to the issue.

Sharma was appointed as a brand ambassador by WWF-India in 2018. Sharma has also done his bit to raise awareness about nature conservation through a program he runs in Mumbai schools and colleges.

This concludes what the Rohit4Rhinos campaign is all about. The other plans include animal welfare, education, and building infrastructure. Skilled rhino vets will be trained at the NGO’s Wildlife Hospital in Pune. The Indian government also has plans to develop infrastructures like bus routes and veterinary camps in the region. Sharma’s campaign also intends to open an animal welfare centre at Alibaug.

Project Rhino

In an attempt to raise awareness about this endangered species and the efforts needed to protect it, Project Rhino was established in India by WWF-India with the help of the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). Most of the information available on rhinos comes from poaching incidents or government reports. The Project Rhino team also works with organisations like the World Wildlife Federation to educate local communities about the importance of rhinos. They hold fundraisers and education events about why everyone needs to be involved in saving these animals. Project Rhino focuses on five geographical areas that are most important for rhino conservation: Kaziranga, Pobitora, Manas, Bardiya, and Kumbhargaon.

Conclusion

Rhinos have been listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) since 1975, which bans all international commercial trade, although this is not strictly enforced. Due to the present crisis situation of the Indian One-Horned Rhinos, it is high time to raise a voice against poaching and human-wildlife conflict situations. This is what is Rohit4Rhinos campaign is all about. Rohit Sharma is playing a vital role in this campaign so that more and more people can become aware of the Indian Rhino and its conservation status.