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India's Rhino Population Surges: State-Wise Data Reveals Conservation Success
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News18•22-09-2026, 07:00
India's Rhino Population Surges: State-Wise Data Reveals Conservation Success
- •World Rhino Day, observed annually on September 22, highlights conservation efforts for the five rhino species globally.
- •India's greater one-horned rhino population reached 3,323 by 2024, contributing significantly to the global total of 4,075.
- •Assam leads with 3,260 rhinos (September 2026 survey), followed by West Bengal with 392 (March 2025 census) and Uttar Pradesh with 53 (June 2026 Dudhwa census).
- •Kaziranga National Park remains a critical stronghold, with 2,613 rhinos recorded in 2022, and Assam reported zero poaching incidents in 2025.
- •Conservation challenges persist, including habitat degradation, invasive vegetation, and the ongoing need for anti-poaching measures, despite significant population recovery from near extinction.
Key Questions Answered
The latest International Rhino Foundation data puts the greater one-horned rhino population in India at 3,323, based on figures available as of 2024.
Assam remains the principal stronghold for the species, with a September 2026 survey reporting 3,260 one-horned rhinos, which accounts for around 80% of the global population.
The June 2026 census in Dudhwa National Park recorded a total of 53 rhinos, consisting of 17 males, 25 females, and 11 sub-adults and calves.
