A rather special and unique way of saving rhinos in the Indian state of Assam has emerged, and it aims to dramatically change people's attitudes towards the animal.
Approximately 2,000 one-horned rhinos live in the jungles of Assam, though they are seen as a nuisance by locals rather than an animal that should be preserved. The problem is, rhinos eat farmer's crops and defecate in their fields. In fact, rhinos often return to a single location to excrete meaning that 400 kilos of waste can be deposited in fields.
However, Mahesh Bora, a retired coal-mining engineer, was inspired to draw up a business model that would ensure that local people would come to rely on the rhinos rather than see them as a nuisance - he decided to make make paper out of their faeces!
Having read about a similar scheme which used elephant dung in Rajesthan to make paper, Mahesh Bora decided to research the feasibility of doing the same in Assam. He then secured Government subsidies, acquired land, secured a loan to buy equipment and then hired local people to work with him. He also designed a unique dryer for the paper in order to streamline the process.
Now, the ELRhino factory makes around 1.3 tonnes of paper every month out of both rhino and elephant dung.
