Guwahati, March 11: Assam forest authorities are optimistic that they will be able to have a rhino population of 3,000 in the state by 2020.

The Manas National Park in Assam on Monday received four rhinos, in the first translocation from Kaziranga, which has the largest population of one-horned rhinos in the world.

Three females and a male — translocated under the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 programme — were released in Manas around 7 a.m. “They are doing fine,” P.K. Brahma, Range Officer, Manas National Park told The Hindu . The total number of rhinos it has received has now gone up to 16, including 14 translocated ones.

It used to be just a petite piece of wilderness, but now it is among the most popular haunts for nature lovers. Pobitora, the natural refuge of the Indian rhino, has emerged as a major draw for Indian and foreign tourists alike.

Tour operators told The Assam Tribune that visitors to Pobitora have swelled in recent times, the reason being its close proximity to Guwahati.

First it was official incompetence, now it is the weather. The already delayed rhino translocation programme could be further affected by frequent rains in the areas where the animals are located and their proposed destination in Manas National Park.

SANTIRAM CHETRI