Guwahati: A whopping 170 rare one-horned Indian rhinoceros have been killed by poachers in Assam’s wildlife protection areas since the year 170 and the frequency of poaching has shown alarming rise during the year 2012 and this year.
According official statistics provided by Assam Forest department in Assam Assembly, the number of poaching incidents have increased manifold during the year 2012 and 2013.
Poachers killed 22 rhinos in 2012 and 40 rhinos so far this year.
Nine rhinos were poached in the year 2001,five in 2002, six in 2003, five in 2004, 12 in 2005, nine in 2006, 19 in 2007, 12 in 2008, 14 in 2009,eight in 2010 and nine in 2011.
Poachers kill the rhino for its horn that fetch average Rs 50 lakh in international grey market of wildlife parts.
Meanwhile, Assam government has submitted proposals to the Centre for installation of electronic eyes, night-vision binoculars and unmanned aerial vehicles to keep an eye on poachers and track their movements.
Assam forest department has raised alarm that a large number of rhino poachers are on the prowl armed with sophisticated AK series assault rifles.
According to the last rhino census carried out in 2012, the population of rhinos in the state was 2,544. The figure was 1672 in 1999. The key rhino protection habitat in Assam are : Kaziranga National Park (KNP), Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park and Manas National Park (MNP).
According to official statistics available a large number of rhinos die naturally at the rate of average 50 per year.
At this rate total 1002 rhinos have died naturally since the hear 2001 till date. Out of these, 75 rhinos have died naturally this year including 74 in the wild and one in the zoo.
Out of the 1,002 rhinos that have died naturally during the period, 112 died last year, 111 in 2008; 107 in 2004; 86 in 2007; 75 in 2005; 72 in 2011; 71 in 2010; 66 in 2003; 65 in 2002; 63 each in 2006 and 2009 and 37 in 2001.
Rise in the incidents of rhino poaching in the Stat have provided a potent handle for the opposition political parties to attack Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government for its utter failure to check the menace.
The rhino is emotionally attached with the people of Assam as it is considered the pride of Assam and the State Animal.
