Guwahati: Amid the process of major controversy and anger among conservationists and educators, the Level 4 NCERT MATHS textbooks show surprising illustrations and misinformation about Indian rhinos.
The controversy began with a chapter titled “The 1000s around us,” which shows an Indian rhino (with two horns), a serious mistake because the species is known for one of its horns.
The textbook further adds fuel by spreading a myth that rhino horns have “drug value,” a long-standing myth that remains responsible for mass poaching of endangered species. Importantly, the myth about rhino horns is largely intended to push animals to the brink of extinction.
Wildlife conservationist Bibhab Kumar Talukdar expressed serious concern. “The NCERT book not only depicts the Indian rhino with two horns, but also dangerously says its horns have medicinal value. This content may inadvertently promote the illegal wildlife trade for impressive young readers,” he told reporters.
Social media is also full of condemnation and protests. “According to NCERT, Rhino Horns has ‘medicine’ values. The myth that leads to poaching continues among young children. Editors need not only blacklists, but also legal action,” Uttpal Borpujari, a national award-winning filmmaker, said on social media.
In another social media post, Udoy Bhaskar Borah pointed out the obvious visual error, noting: “In the recently published NCERT Level 4 Mathematics textbook, Indian rhino has two horns (pg 45). In NCERT textbooks, such errors are unacceptable.”
Although NCERT has been promoting interdisciplinary learning (integrating the integration of math with environmental awareness) experts believe that accuracy cannot be compromised in the process. The textbook section also features heritage such as Thousand Temples and mentions 1,000 festivals in India, trying to weave cultural and environmental themes into digital lessons. But, as far as rhino is concerned, the facts are very wrong.
The textbook also sees floods as a threat, while conservationists point it as part of ecological balance, where rhino populations flourish in the long run. Mr Talukdar noted that despite multiple floods, Kaziranga National Park in Assam has seen its rhino population increase from 366 in 1966 to 2,600 now. The total population of rhino in the wild in India has exceeded 4,000 due to active protection measures and anti-poaching campaigns.
As the rebound grew, conservationists demanded rapid revision or withdrawal of textbooks and a greater review of educational content.
