193 rhinos killed in 13 years
Guwahati: Rhino poachers have virtually turned the protected areas in Assam, especially the globally renowned habitat of one-horned rhinoceros in Kaziranga National Park (KNP) into killing fields of the precious ancient animal derying the anti-poaching measures hitherto taken by Assam forest and wildlife department.
According to figures quoted by Assam’s Environment and Forest Minister Rakibul Hussain, 193 one-horned rhinos have been killed in various protected forest areas in the state during the period from the year 2001 to August 3, 2014.
A total of 126 rhinos were killed by poachers only in the famous Kaziranga National Park (KNP), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Moreover, 31 rhinos were killed in Orang National Park, 14 in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, seven in Manas National Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site in the state and 15 in other forest divisions during the same period much to the chagrin of the people of Assam where rhino is considered a pride and recognised as the state animal.
According to official figures , the highest number of incidents of rhino-poaching took place in the year 2013 when 41 rhinos were poached, including 27 at the KNP, five in Manas Park , three in Orang, two in Pobitora and four in other divisions.
Twenty-two rhinos have been killed by poachers in Assam, so far this year. Of the 21 were in KNP and one at Pobitora.
Regarding the anti-poaching steps taken by the state government, the minister informed that an Anti Rhino Poaching Task Force had been formed in the state and while forest personnel in the state were provided with sophisticated weapons.
Law provisions have been amended to hand out stringent punishment to rhino poachers so that it could become a deterrent. For ensuring better wildlife policing, the vulnerable KNP is being divided into four separate forest divisions.
The State government has also approached the Centre seeking permission for using unmanned aerial surveillance vehicles, besides putting into use night-vision equipment as part of the anti-poaching measures.
Besides, elevated zones have been created at the parks so that rhinos do not fall victim to poachers during floods and at places electronic fences have been erected, he added.
In the KNP, 68 poachers were nabbed on charges of being involved in killing of rhinos in 2013 and so far in 2014, 22 others have been arrested.
In 2013, five poachers were gunned down, while 13 have been killed during the first seven months of 2014.