Conservation Centre for Rhino and Vultures in Valmiki Tiger Reserve Bihar

Recently, the Bihar government has started considering the constitution of the Rhino Task Force to Conserve the Rhino species in Valmiki Tiger Reserve. Along with the conservation of Rhino, the Bihar government also focuses on conserving the state's vulture species.

• The Forest Department is keen to save the declining population of Indian One Horned Rhinoceros and Vultures in Valmiki Tiger Reserve.
• Rhino will be shifted to Ganauli and Madanpur areas, which have been identified for conservation.
• There is only one Rhino in Valmiki Tiger Reserve and 14 rhinos in Patna Zoo.
• 'Rhino Week' is celebrated in Patna Zoo from the 20th to the 22nd of September.

One Horned Rhino in India

The greater one-horned rhino lives in northern India and southern Nepal, in riverine (floodplain) grasslands and adjacent woodland.

• Kaziranga (Assam) National Park is home to India's largest One Horned Rhino.
• 'World Rhino Day' is celebrated every year on 22 September. 
• Rhino's IUCN status is Vulnerable.

Vultures

Recently, almost 150 vultures were sighted in the Valmiki tiger reserves. Different species of vultures were sighted, including Egyptian vultures, Griffon vultures, White-rumped vultures, and Himalayan griffon.

• Four of India's nine vulture species are listed as 'Critically Endangered' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
• A significant reason for this catastrophic decline is diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory veterinary drug. The drug is toxic to vultures, and they are exposed to it when they feed on animal carcasses treated with diclofenac. 

About Valmiki Tiger Reserve

The only tiger reserve in Bihar is the Valmiki Tiger Reserve(VTR).

• VTR is located in the Himalayan Terai landscape. VTR is made up of the Valmiki National Park and the Valmiki Wildlife Sanctuary. 
• The VTR forest area is 901.07 square kilometres in size, accounting for 17.4% of the district West Champaran's total geographical area
• Nepal borders the protected areas, while the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh borders the Wildlife Sanctuary from the western side.
• Tigers, sloth bears, leopards, Indian bison, hyenas, wild dogs, etc., reside in VTR. Several species of deer and antelope viz. Barking deer, spotted deer, hog deer, sambar, and blue bull are also present. 
• Leopards, wild cats, fishing cats, wild boar, serow, civets, flying squirrels, etc. can also be seen. On the main road from Madanpur to Valmikinagar, many Indian flying foxes can be seen.