One-Horned Rhino Conservation In UP Advances With Two New Habitats Planned At Katarniaghat And Pilibhit: Report

Uttar Pradesh will soon get two new habitats for one-horned rhinoceroses in Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary and Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR), reported The Times Of India.

The state government has allocated Rs 1.5 crore for the project, which will be overseen by Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR).

The sites were chosen after audits in Katarniaghat (July–Sept 2023) and PTR (March 2025) by a committee headed by B S Bonal, former Additional Director General of the National Tiger Conservation Authority.

“The key features of the two proposed rhino habitats will be finalised in an upcoming meeting of the ‘Rhino Core Group’ at Dudhwa," DTR Field Director H Rajamohan was quoted as saying by ToI.

As part of a long-term conservation plan (2022–23 to 2030–31), authorities have also identified Sohagi Barwa (Maharajganj), Kishanpur (Lakhimpur Kheri), and Suhelwa (Shravasti, Gonda, and Balrampur) as potential rhino sites.

Currently, all 51 of Uttar Pradesh’s one-horned rhinos live in Dudhwa reserve, housed in two enclosures (RR1 and RR2) spanning 40.4 sq km.

In a pilot effort to reduce inbreeding, officials released one male and three females into the wild in two phases between December and March.

The goal is to increase genetic diversity by enabling mating with rhinos from Nepal that migrate across the border seasonally.

“Simultaneous efforts include research on rhino genetics and diversity, strengthening surveillance, improving grassland management, periodic medical exams, and continuous monitoring of the four free-ranging rhinos," Rajamohan added.

The project will also fund the implementation of RhODIS (Rhino DNA Indexing System) for the first time in DTR, improving tracking and anti-poaching efforts.

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