Expressing concern over spurt in rhino poaching in Assam, WWF-India has said that adoption of National Rhino Conservation Plan (NRCP) has become imperative for the protection of the species.

"After decades of conservation success, which resulted in the population of rhinos in Assam rising to more than 2,500 at present, the spurt in poaching over the last couple of years seems to indicate that poaching syndicates are strengthening. To avoid loss of these hard-fought gains, there is an urgent need for the adoption of NRCP for India," WWF-India said on the occasion of World Rhino Day on Saturday.