With the monsoon setting in, Assam Forest Department is planning to send about 150 additional men of the Assam Forest Protection Force (AFPF) to the Kaziranga National Park to secure the wildlife, particularly the one-horned rhinos in the park, from the poachers.
Assam Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain said this today while adding that the additional forces would be sent once the department receives a communication from the park director in this regard.
The park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, had been witnessing a spate in poaching of the one horned rhinos since 2012. Although the Government had taken several steps to stop the poaching, the menace is still on after brief intervals.
“The park needs flooding every year — flooding is an integral part of the park for its eco system. The annual floods are very necessary for the park as it washes away all the unwanted weeds from the park and helps maintaining the ecological balance of the park. It is also a natural process of cleaning the park,” the Minister said, adding that during high floods, however, it is a matter of concern.
The park animals, particularly the rhinos migrate to highlands — the hills of Karbi Anglong during the high floods inside the park. During this period of high floods, the poachers also take advantage of the situation and kill rhinos.
“We have kept about 150 additional forces ready to be sent to the park as and when necessary. As of now, the floods waters have not entered the park. We are going to send them to the park to intensify the vigil and keep the poachers away,” the Minister said.
The Minister further said that the department had also taken up steps to fill up the vacant posts of various parks and sanctuaries of the State. There are close to 1,200 staff, from frontline to the rang-ers and conservator of forests in Kaziranga National Park.