RhoDIS India Programme

A specialized team has recently begun the genetic analysis of samples collected from 2,573 rhino horns, a majority of which were destroyed by the Assam Forest Division four years ago. This initiative is a significant step in wildlife crime investigation and conservation efforts.

Key Details of the Genetic Analysis:

• Sample Collection: Samples were collected from 2,573 rhino horns.
• Verification and Segregation: A team, notified by Assam’s Chief Wildlife Warden, verified and segregated the stored samples at Kaziranga from July 3 to 8.
• Transportation for Analysis: The samples were repacked into small vials for transport to the genetic laboratory at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun for DNA analysis.
• RhoDIS India Programme: The WII’s genetics laboratory is central to the RhoDIS (Rhino DNA Index System) India programme.
  • The analysis aims to document the individual DNA profiles of each rhino horn.
  • These profiles will be added to the RhoDIS India DNA data library.
  • The standardized protocol for RhoDIS India analysis, approved by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, will be followed.
  • The program is supervised by Samrat Mondol.
• Program Inception: The RhoDIS India programme was started in 2016 as a collaboration among:
  • The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
  • The rhino-bearing States of India.
  • The Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
  • The World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF-India).
• Objectives: The programme seeks to:
  • Improve crime investigations scientifically related to rhino poaching.
  • Provide technical support for the scientific management of India’s rhino population.

(Source: The Hindu)