The population of one-horned rhinoceros at the Kaziranga National Park has registered an increase of 200, taking the total to 2,613, according to the findings of a survey released on Tuesday.

The survey revealed the presence of 1,823 adult rhinos (above six years), 365 sub-adult (between three to six years), 279 juvenile (one to three years) and calves 146 (0 to one year).

The census was conducted on March 26 and 27.

The survey was conducted at 84 census blocks across the park and its additional areas with the help of 64 enumerators, 12 independent observers, 49 media observers and 252 frontline staffers, KNP director Jatindra Sarma said.

Drone technology was used for sample recheck, he added.

The rise is quite significant because the last survey conducted in 2018 had sighted 2,413 rhinos, a rise by only 12 over the 2012 head-count. The KNP has also lost nearly 400 rhinos since 2018.

Assam now has an estimated 2,845 rhinos, the highest in India, if the figures of the recent surveys in two other rhino habitats are factored in.

The Orang National Park has 125 rhinos while the Pobitara Wildlife Sanctuary has 107 rhinos, a rise of 24 and five over the 2018 survey figures.

Forest minister Parimal Suklabaidya tweeted about the “impressive” increase (2,613) in the rhino population.

“Our BJP Government has succeeded efficiently in protecting the pride of Assam, the one-horned Rhinos across Assam. The latest census data below shows the impressive increase in the number of Rhinos in @kaziranga. We shall continue to carry forward this legacy more firmly under the guidance of our Hon'ble CM Dr. @himantabiswa in the coming days,” he said in the tweet.

The BJP is in power in Assam and protecting the rhinos was one of its key commitments before it first stormed to power in 2016 with its allies.