Guwahati: On completion of his two-day ‘Mission Kaziranga’ visit, Union Minister of State (Independent) for Environment and Forest, Prakash Javadekar Saturday said here, “There will be zero tolerance to rhino poaching from now onwards in respect of Kaziranga National Park and other wildlife protection areas and a task force to formulate comprehensive strategy for rhino protection in all rhino habitat in the country.”
Addressing media here before his departure to New Delhi, the MoEF said , “ A ‘Special Rhino Protection Force’ will be constituted local youth from areas close to rhino habitat under protection which will be fully funded by the Central government.”
“I have learnt that 22 rhinos have been killed in Kaziranga National Park so far this year while 24 poachers arrested and 20 poachers killed during the same period. The drive against poachers will be continued in coordination with the police. I have reviewed the situation with police officials and told them that from now onwards the approach must be zero tolerance against rhino poaching,” Javadekar said.
He informed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which was handed over two rhino poaching cases by the state government, would be asked to fast track the investigation and explore possibility to extend the ambit of the inquiry so as to bring more cases of rhino-poaching in Kaziranga Park under its ambit.
“The MoEF will launch health insurance scheme for frontline staff (forest guards) working in Kaziranga National Park given that they have to work round the clock under trying circumstances to protect the rhino,” Javadekar announced.
He further said that for the next six months the ministry would monitor the anti-poaching measures taken to protect the rhino before constituting a task force to formula countrywide strategy for protection of the rhino.
“During my two day visit focused on protection of the precious one-horned rhinos I Kaziranga Park, I have interacted with a wide spectrum of people including NGOs, public, forest officials, police officials and I take heart in learning that people of Assam love the rhino very much and their commitment to protect the species is cent per cent which will be boon for to protect the rhino,” Javadekar said.
“Our government believes in facilitating simultaneous development and environment conservation. We will soon start demarcation of ecologically sensitive zones in the eight Northeastern states and all the PCCFs of these states have been apprised about the plan,” he said.
Javadekar informed that the Union government would soon distribute about Rs 35,000 crore CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) fund once the Supreme Court deliver the final verdict
Government has formulated a policy for doling out thousands of crores to states under an ambitious afforestation programme, and fund distribution is expected to be done by the end of this month once the Supreme Court gives its final verdict on the matter which has been pending before the court.
The government has already submitted its policy to the court, which will enable the states to about 90 per cent of the total corpus under the fund. He said the court is expected to give the final verdict by the end of this month.
He, however said, once the funds are made available, the state governments should adhere to the commitments made by them on afforestation and not divert funds.
“We have set an ambitious target of increasing the forest cover in the country,” he said adding, “We will do real time monitoring so that the states get allocated fund in time and utilize it properly sticking to guidelines.”