Assam CM holds high level meeting with wildlife experts for protection of rhinos

In the meeting with wildlife experts, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that the Government is wholly committed towards protection of the famous one-horned rhincoceros, Assam’s pride and glory.

The wildlife experts would have to come up with concrete suggestions for protection of the one-horned rhinos from poachers.

Sonowal said that a comprehensive action plan has to be evolved for protection of the one-horned rhinos.

Underscoring the need for adopting latest technologies and know-how to protect the rhinos, Chief Minister Sonowal said the forest personnel manning the Kaziranga National Park must be equipped with sophisticated arms to stop rhino killings.
 
Sonowal also stressed on the need for building a strong intelligence network to track the movements of the poachers and to strengthen the surveillance system.

Emphasising on the involvement of the people on the fringe areas of the park for safeguarding the rhinos, Sonowal said the forest department has to work in tandem with the local youth and people.
 
Sonowal directed the forest department to take special initiatives for taking health care of the forest personnel guarding the park.

Based on the recommendations of the wildlife experts, the Chief Minister asked the forest department to prepare an action plan immediately.

Among the major recommendations are setting up of an intelligence cell with forest and police officers for wildlife crimes with provisions for secret service fund; creation of a full-fledged forensic facility to support wildlife crime investigation; establishment of a separate prosecution unit with support of legal experts for wildlife crimes in the State; providing modern technology, arms and ammunition to wildlife wing and strengthening manpower and financial resources for wildlife management.

The meeting was attended, among others, by Minister for Environment & Forest, Pramila Rani Brahma, Chief Secretary, VK Pipersenia, Additional Chief Secretary, TY Das, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Daresh Mathur, ADGP (SB), Commissioner & Secretary to CM, Sanjay Lohiya, and representatives of WWF, WTI, WCCB, NTCA, WL and SOS.

Meanwhile, the State Government has taken the decision to launch a health insurance scheme for the forest personnel.

For this, the Central Government has already released Rs 20 lakh as its first installment.



(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)