The study on the Indian one-horned rhinoceros reveals that this species migrated to Northeast India from western and northern regions during the late Holocene period, driven by climate change and human activities. It traces the palaeoecological history of Kaziranga National Park, indicating that environmental degradation in the west forced herbivores eastward toward stable climatic conditions and abundant resources in Northeast India. The Holocene epoch, spanning the last 4,000–5,000 years, shows that one-horned rhinos were once prevalent across northern India, particularly along the Himalayan foothills, with a range extending into present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan. Approximately 3,200–3,300 years ago, the Kaziranga area transformed into a grassland ecosystem favorable for mega-herbivores. However, around 1,700 years ago, ecological shifts occurred, shrinking grasslands and increasing deciduous forests. Led by Dr. Sadan Kumar Basumatary and involving various national and international institutions, the findings highlight contemporary threats such as invasive species like Mimosa, which endanger Kaziranga’s ecosystem and the rhinoceros’s long-term survival. This research offers insights into ecological change that could guide conservation strategies for Kaziranga National Park, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Research reveals migration of one-horned rhinos to Northeast India from western and northern areas
