To protect wild animals and anti-poaching operations, the Assam forest department has taken a massive initiative by introducing drones to keep a closer eye in Kaziranga National Park (KNP).
On Sunday, the Assam forest minister Rockybul Hussain said an Unmanned Aerial vehicle (UAV) will be introduced in KNP to vigil wild animals including one horned rhinoceros and anti-social activities.
“A drone aircraft will keep vigil in the world heritage site from April 8,” Rockybul Hussain said.
The pilotless aircraft will help tackle poaching in and around the World Heritage Site Park.
Kaziranga has lost 16 one horned rhinos this year so far by illegal poaching.
Poachers killed 22 rhinos in the year 2012 in the park.
2329 rhinos were found in Kaziranga during the recent census.
“To protect wild animals in the park, the state forest department had deployed 300 armed jawans to Assam Forest Protection Force (AFPF),” Hussain said.
Poachers reportedly used sophisticated weapons and it is a worried matter to the state.
“So, we have decided to be equipped sophisticated weapons liking AK series rifles to forest guards to fight against poachers,” the Assam forest minister said.
Meanwhile, a top source of state forest department said the sound-less, pollution free remote-controlled aircraft, which can fly over the park continuously for four hours, will carry sophisticated, high power and high range cameras.
“The aircraft will used for emergency or for any requirement of the park,” a top official of state forest department said.
The aircraft will gather photographs within the forest area and outside during the service and it will help trap any anti-social activities in or outside the park.
Poachers killed at least 159 rhinos in KNP in the past 12 years.
