Assam Forest Minister Addresses Rhino Poaching in Kaziranga Park

Union Environment and Tourism Minister Jayanthi Natarajan on Wednesday visited the world-famed Kaziranga National Park (KNP) and addresses the problems on the recent flood and rhino killing incidents, officials said.

Along with Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and state government Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain the Union minister stressed importance of wildlife protection in the park.

39 rhinos died in the park in past 10 months.

The Union minister also announced a Rs One crore package for the national park to tackle the flood situation and death of rhinos.

Assam Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain said the package budget was taken from the Tiger reserve Fund.

Natarajan also reviewed the situation with the forest officials of the park following the three waves of devastating flood and rhino poaching incidents.

“The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) was conducting inquiry on the rhino poaching incidents in the park and hope they will submit the report soon,” the Union minister said.

Jayanthi Natarajan stressed to take all possible measures in tackling poaching in and around the park.

“I had discussed with the Assam CM, Forest minister and officials for protecting wildlife,” Natarajan said.

The Assam Forest minister has given a memorandum to the Union minister.

At least three one horned rhinoceros had been killed by Karbi militant group Karbi People’s Liberation Tigers (KPLT) just recently.

Hemanta Kumar Nath
Hemanta Kumar Nath is a correspondent in Assam, India, who reports on local news in Assam, the north east Indian state.